Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

Starring Steve Martin as the famous French detective Jazues, was already shot, edited and *in the can*

1. in the final edited form ready for broadcasting or distribution
as soon as the movie is in the can

2. successfully completed or negotiated


The second one?

Would anyone use it in another sentence?

Thanks

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello daredevil -

1- Movie film is wound on reels. The reels (3 or 4 for most feature films) are stored and shipped in circular metal cases (canisters)......... so, when a movie is "in the can" it is ready for viewing.

2- Some business people might use the expression "it's in the can" (borrowed from the film industry) to say that a deal has been successfully concluded.
"After months of negotiation, AOL has agreed to Time Warners' proposal and the deal is 'in the can'." (signed and finalized) Philo