Please explain the meaning

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Sarunnio  #500848  Tue, 15 Apr 08 03:01 AM

Please explain the meaning of the sentence below for me.

These principles have to translate into little and big things. I bought a plunger after a toilet get clogged, and brought it to a sales meeting to illustrate the point. I said, "If the toilet gets clogged, I'll be the first one to grab the plunger. We shouldn't need to hire a janitor to clean up after us because if it is to be, it is up to me - and you."

What does the underlined sentence mean?

  
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Anonymous  #500856  Tue, 15 Apr 08 03:23 AM

This looks like a motivational speech -

The person is using a plunger as a symbol for how to "unclog" a mess. 

He is saying that if the company gets into a mess, he will be the first one to get to work and unclog it ("I'll be the first one to grab the plunger) 

He says there is no need to call for help. If it happens (the company gets into a mess) it will be up to both of us to work together and "unclog" the mess.

 

  
Delmobile  #500861  Tue, 15 Apr 08 03:32 AM
 Ick, I hate this kind of twaddle.

"If it is to be..." = If "it" is going to happen.  "It" presumably meaning success, progress, a hundred percent increase in sales over the next fiscal year, whatever the stated (or perhaps unstated) goal is.

"it is up to me" = rhymes with "to be." I'm serious. Overall, this motto is exhorting everyone to get off their butts and work. Don't wait for somebody else to do it - pitch in and do it yourself, if it needs doing. The  plunger was introduced because plunging a clogged toilet is an unpleasant job - the boss is demonstrating that he's not afraid to tackle even the most unpleasant jobs, and the sales force shouldn't be, either. 

In other words, "there is no I in t-e-a-m."  

 

 

  
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Clive  #500877  Tue, 15 Apr 08 04:20 AM

Hi,

"there is no I in t-e-a-m."  But there is 'me' in 't-e-a-m'. Wink

Clive

  
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El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
Grammar Geek  #500879  Tue, 15 Apr 08 04:26 AM

There was a great commercial - "There ain't no 'we' either."

  
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Barbara, who answers in American English.
Delmobile  #501052  Tue, 15 Apr 08 02:26 PM

Clive, that's brilliant. Now if you can come up with a retort for "you know what happens when you ASSUME..."

 GG, didn't remember that one but I found it on youtube, along with a lot of other hilarious "Leon" commercials. Thanks for the great start to my day!

 

  
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