The 'Relieved Denzel Washington' meme features the legendary actor exhaling deeply with his eyes closed and a hand on his chest, perfectly capturing the sensation of dodging a metaphorical bullet. The image originates from an interview where Denzel was reacting to a moment of reflection, but it quickly became the internet's go-to reaction for narrow escapes and hard-won victories. It is widely used to illustrate the feeling of finishing a stressful task, seeing a terrifying bill that is actually lower than expected, or realizing you didn't accidentally hit 'Reply All' on a sensitive email. Its popularity stems from Denzel’s expressive face, which resonates with anyone who has ever felt a massive weight lift off their shoulders.