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we really are getting up to a fine start

English translation: things are beginning well

11:08 Mar 10, 2021
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: we really are getting up to a fine start
At a cleaning service
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.
.
.
Man: But you do employ cleaners, don't you?
Manager: Yes, but only of the highest quality. This is quality Cleaning Services, after all. Ha, ha, ha.
Man: The best cleaning service. That's good because I want...
Manager: And we only employ the best cleaners.
.
.
.
Manager: Well, you know how a vacuum cleaner works, don't you?
Man: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ... No.
Manager: Ah, we really are getting up to a fine start, aren't we? A vacuum cleaner sucks up the dirt.
Man: Sucks up the dirt. How?
Manager: Ah, well, like this, of course. The way I suck up my drink through the straw.

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What does "we really are getting up to a fine start" mean?

Thank you
rezaproz
Iran
Local time: 12:29
Selected answer:things are beginning well
Explanation:
The expression is actually "getting **off** to a fine start". It means "beginning well", and here is used ironically because the potential cleaner doesn't seem to know anything about cleaning!
Selected response from:

Victoria Britten
France
Local time: 10:59
Grading comment
Thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +9things are beginning well
Victoria Britten


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
things are beginning well


Explanation:
The expression is actually "getting **off** to a fine start". It means "beginning well", and here is used ironically because the potential cleaner doesn't seem to know anything about cleaning!

Victoria Britten
France
Local time: 10:59
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nicholas Laurier Eveneshen
7 mins
  -> Thanks, Nicholas!
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: exactly, getting OFF is the correct expression but "up" may be used as a joke since it's about the vacuum sucking UP the dust
8 mins
  -> Aha, maybe... Thanks, Yvonne
agree  mike23
24 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Orkoyen (X)
42 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Bruno Pavesi
1 hr
  -> Thanks
agree  philgoddard: I don't think it's a joke, though, just a mistake.
3 hrs
  -> Yes - or a miss-hear, maybe.
agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
3 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  Tony M
7 hrs
  -> Thanks, Tony
agree  AllegroTrans
11 hrs
  -> Thanks
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