This study interrogates the logic behind repression in authoritarian contexts, aiming to understand the manner in which repression is carried out and who it targets. Much of the literature on repression in authoritarian regimes assumes that repressive strategies are static or "sticky." Using arrest data from Egypt over the past decade, I challenge this assumption, and demonstrate that repression is a more dynamic process, with regimes updating their tactics in response to shifting contexts. The research employs a mixed-methods approach to uncover the nuanced evolution of repressive methods over time. Initial findings reveal a higher rate of targeted arrests immediately following the 2103 coup, which then evolves into more reactive strategies. These strategies aim to preempt specific dates of potential mobilization, becoming more indiscriminate and targeting a broader spectrum of perceived threats to the regime and potential opposition groups. This pronounced shift in patterns of arrest over time indicates that authoritarian strategies are far more adaptive and calculated than previously acknowledged. This insight reshapes our understanding of authoritarian repression, emphasizing its fluid nature and offering new perspectives on the complexities of maintaining control in authoritarian states. The findings have broad implications for both academic research and policy-making in addressing human rights abuses, highlighting the need for a dynamic understanding of repression in authoritarian regimes.