The process of removing a rotten fruit to save the others in the basket
Is there a name for the process of removing a rotten fruit to save the others in the basket?
I want to use this in the context of team management, where the performance of one or more members affect others in the team, and I feel they have to be removed from the team.
single-word-requests phrase-requests
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
add a comment |
Is there a name for the process of removing a rotten fruit to save the others in the basket?
I want to use this in the context of team management, where the performance of one or more members affect others in the team, and I feel they have to be removed from the team.
single-word-requests phrase-requests
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
1
The typical term (coming from a surgical context) is excise. You excise tumors, for example. It has connotations of surgical precision, and removing only the problematic parts.
– Dan Bron
Dec 21 at 12:46
1
I would suggest winnow, or some synonym. Purge if you don't fear a bad connotation.
– Hot Licks
Dec 21 at 12:54
related phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/46/messages/803.html
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 21 at 12:58
add a comment |
Is there a name for the process of removing a rotten fruit to save the others in the basket?
I want to use this in the context of team management, where the performance of one or more members affect others in the team, and I feel they have to be removed from the team.
single-word-requests phrase-requests
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
Is there a name for the process of removing a rotten fruit to save the others in the basket?
I want to use this in the context of team management, where the performance of one or more members affect others in the team, and I feel they have to be removed from the team.
single-word-requests phrase-requests
single-word-requests phrase-requests
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
edited Dec 21 at 13:00
Mari-Lou A
61.5k55215454
61.5k55215454
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
asked Dec 21 at 12:33
Arun
560213
560213
1
The typical term (coming from a surgical context) is excise. You excise tumors, for example. It has connotations of surgical precision, and removing only the problematic parts.
– Dan Bron
Dec 21 at 12:46
1
I would suggest winnow, or some synonym. Purge if you don't fear a bad connotation.
– Hot Licks
Dec 21 at 12:54
related phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/46/messages/803.html
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 21 at 12:58
add a comment |
1
The typical term (coming from a surgical context) is excise. You excise tumors, for example. It has connotations of surgical precision, and removing only the problematic parts.
– Dan Bron
Dec 21 at 12:46
1
I would suggest winnow, or some synonym. Purge if you don't fear a bad connotation.
– Hot Licks
Dec 21 at 12:54
related phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/46/messages/803.html
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 21 at 12:58
1
1
The typical term (coming from a surgical context) is excise. You excise tumors, for example. It has connotations of surgical precision, and removing only the problematic parts.
– Dan Bron
Dec 21 at 12:46
The typical term (coming from a surgical context) is excise. You excise tumors, for example. It has connotations of surgical precision, and removing only the problematic parts.
– Dan Bron
Dec 21 at 12:46
1
1
I would suggest winnow, or some synonym. Purge if you don't fear a bad connotation.
– Hot Licks
Dec 21 at 12:54
I would suggest winnow, or some synonym. Purge if you don't fear a bad connotation.
– Hot Licks
Dec 21 at 12:54
related phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/46/messages/803.html
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 21 at 12:58
related phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/46/messages/803.html
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 21 at 12:58
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
I am going to take a diversion from the letter of the question, because the context cannot be ignored here - if you plan to use this in the context of team management you should not use words with too-negative a connotation: this would simply instill unease in the people who are not the "rotten fruit".
And therein lies a problem: the use of "rotten fruit" when talking about your team. Team management techniques are of course outside the remits of this forum, but this leads me to the word I am getting at:
pruning
Pruning is the action of removing dead or overgrown branches from a plant (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/prune#h46946740871680, meaning 2). This provides a better mental image: the team is seen as a tree, growing upwards, the problem team members are removed due to a natural progression, and the same expression can be used with less negative connotations for the individuals if the team is pruned due to restructuring etc. Additionally, this expression is widely used in team management, so it will make immediate sense to upper management.
The above remains within the realm of fruits/plants; an alternative could be jettison (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jettison), but pruning is, as I said, a better mental image.
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
add a comment |
A standard phrase for the situation of having an underperformer is
One bad apple spoils the bunch [or bushel, barrel, basket, etc.]
So if you refer to "removing the bad apple", your intent will be immediately clear.
(See also "a bad apple" at theFreeDictionary, and "bad apple" at Merriam-Webster.)
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
add a comment |
cut the deadwood out
Figurative: to remove unproductive persons from employment. This
company would be more profitable if management would cut out the
deadwood. When we cut the deadwood out, all our departments will run
more smoothly.
Or for a more acceptable euphamism (from @Mitch):
streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
1
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
2
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
1
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
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oldest
votes
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oldest
votes
I am going to take a diversion from the letter of the question, because the context cannot be ignored here - if you plan to use this in the context of team management you should not use words with too-negative a connotation: this would simply instill unease in the people who are not the "rotten fruit".
And therein lies a problem: the use of "rotten fruit" when talking about your team. Team management techniques are of course outside the remits of this forum, but this leads me to the word I am getting at:
pruning
Pruning is the action of removing dead or overgrown branches from a plant (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/prune#h46946740871680, meaning 2). This provides a better mental image: the team is seen as a tree, growing upwards, the problem team members are removed due to a natural progression, and the same expression can be used with less negative connotations for the individuals if the team is pruned due to restructuring etc. Additionally, this expression is widely used in team management, so it will make immediate sense to upper management.
The above remains within the realm of fruits/plants; an alternative could be jettison (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jettison), but pruning is, as I said, a better mental image.
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
add a comment |
I am going to take a diversion from the letter of the question, because the context cannot be ignored here - if you plan to use this in the context of team management you should not use words with too-negative a connotation: this would simply instill unease in the people who are not the "rotten fruit".
And therein lies a problem: the use of "rotten fruit" when talking about your team. Team management techniques are of course outside the remits of this forum, but this leads me to the word I am getting at:
pruning
Pruning is the action of removing dead or overgrown branches from a plant (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/prune#h46946740871680, meaning 2). This provides a better mental image: the team is seen as a tree, growing upwards, the problem team members are removed due to a natural progression, and the same expression can be used with less negative connotations for the individuals if the team is pruned due to restructuring etc. Additionally, this expression is widely used in team management, so it will make immediate sense to upper management.
The above remains within the realm of fruits/plants; an alternative could be jettison (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jettison), but pruning is, as I said, a better mental image.
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
add a comment |
I am going to take a diversion from the letter of the question, because the context cannot be ignored here - if you plan to use this in the context of team management you should not use words with too-negative a connotation: this would simply instill unease in the people who are not the "rotten fruit".
And therein lies a problem: the use of "rotten fruit" when talking about your team. Team management techniques are of course outside the remits of this forum, but this leads me to the word I am getting at:
pruning
Pruning is the action of removing dead or overgrown branches from a plant (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/prune#h46946740871680, meaning 2). This provides a better mental image: the team is seen as a tree, growing upwards, the problem team members are removed due to a natural progression, and the same expression can be used with less negative connotations for the individuals if the team is pruned due to restructuring etc. Additionally, this expression is widely used in team management, so it will make immediate sense to upper management.
The above remains within the realm of fruits/plants; an alternative could be jettison (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jettison), but pruning is, as I said, a better mental image.
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
I am going to take a diversion from the letter of the question, because the context cannot be ignored here - if you plan to use this in the context of team management you should not use words with too-negative a connotation: this would simply instill unease in the people who are not the "rotten fruit".
And therein lies a problem: the use of "rotten fruit" when talking about your team. Team management techniques are of course outside the remits of this forum, but this leads me to the word I am getting at:
pruning
Pruning is the action of removing dead or overgrown branches from a plant (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/prune#h46946740871680, meaning 2). This provides a better mental image: the team is seen as a tree, growing upwards, the problem team members are removed due to a natural progression, and the same expression can be used with less negative connotations for the individuals if the team is pruned due to restructuring etc. Additionally, this expression is widely used in team management, so it will make immediate sense to upper management.
The above remains within the realm of fruits/plants; an alternative could be jettison (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jettison), but pruning is, as I said, a better mental image.
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
answered Dec 21 at 15:19
microenzo
3726
3726
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
add a comment |
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
....but I must urge you to reconsider the idea of "rotten fruit" in your team: there are plenty of techniques to deal with problem team members.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 15:25
add a comment |
A standard phrase for the situation of having an underperformer is
One bad apple spoils the bunch [or bushel, barrel, basket, etc.]
So if you refer to "removing the bad apple", your intent will be immediately clear.
(See also "a bad apple" at theFreeDictionary, and "bad apple" at Merriam-Webster.)
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
add a comment |
A standard phrase for the situation of having an underperformer is
One bad apple spoils the bunch [or bushel, barrel, basket, etc.]
So if you refer to "removing the bad apple", your intent will be immediately clear.
(See also "a bad apple" at theFreeDictionary, and "bad apple" at Merriam-Webster.)
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
add a comment |
A standard phrase for the situation of having an underperformer is
One bad apple spoils the bunch [or bushel, barrel, basket, etc.]
So if you refer to "removing the bad apple", your intent will be immediately clear.
(See also "a bad apple" at theFreeDictionary, and "bad apple" at Merriam-Webster.)
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
A standard phrase for the situation of having an underperformer is
One bad apple spoils the bunch [or bushel, barrel, basket, etc.]
So if you refer to "removing the bad apple", your intent will be immediately clear.
(See also "a bad apple" at theFreeDictionary, and "bad apple" at Merriam-Webster.)
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
answered Dec 21 at 16:00
Hellion
52.8k13108196
52.8k13108196
add a comment |
add a comment |
cut the deadwood out
Figurative: to remove unproductive persons from employment. This
company would be more profitable if management would cut out the
deadwood. When we cut the deadwood out, all our departments will run
more smoothly.
Or for a more acceptable euphamism (from @Mitch):
streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
1
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
2
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
1
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
add a comment |
cut the deadwood out
Figurative: to remove unproductive persons from employment. This
company would be more profitable if management would cut out the
deadwood. When we cut the deadwood out, all our departments will run
more smoothly.
Or for a more acceptable euphamism (from @Mitch):
streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
1
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
2
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
1
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
add a comment |
cut the deadwood out
Figurative: to remove unproductive persons from employment. This
company would be more profitable if management would cut out the
deadwood. When we cut the deadwood out, all our departments will run
more smoothly.
Or for a more acceptable euphamism (from @Mitch):
streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
cut the deadwood out
Figurative: to remove unproductive persons from employment. This
company would be more profitable if management would cut out the
deadwood. When we cut the deadwood out, all our departments will run
more smoothly.
Or for a more acceptable euphamism (from @Mitch):
streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
edited Dec 21 at 14:40
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
answered Dec 21 at 12:53
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,246616
1,246616
1
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
2
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
1
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
add a comment |
1
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
2
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
1
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
1
1
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
'Rationalize' is very broad and covers quite a few other situations and implications. There are a lot of words that one would use first in that direction: streamline, tighten up, optimize, remove redundancies, etc.
– Mitch
Dec 21 at 13:47
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
@Mitch Quite true, I've just been watching "Yes Minister" and the word was on my mind. Not sure now if I should rewrite my answer or hope the OP sees your comment.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 14:36
2
2
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
Not quite the same thing: dead wood is (passively) useless; rotten fruit is (actively) destructive.
– michael.hor257k
Dec 21 at 15:29
1
1
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
@michael.hor257k Maybe, but not necessarily relevant to the OP's question. Plus sometimes saving (actual) trees requires deadwood to be cut out, some experience in business indicates that this translates to there too.
– Duckisaduckisaduck
Dec 21 at 15:39
add a comment |
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1
The typical term (coming from a surgical context) is excise. You excise tumors, for example. It has connotations of surgical precision, and removing only the problematic parts.
– Dan Bron
Dec 21 at 12:46
1
I would suggest winnow, or some synonym. Purge if you don't fear a bad connotation.
– Hot Licks
Dec 21 at 12:54
related phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/46/messages/803.html
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 21 at 12:58