🚣 Pull Your Weight: A Teamwork Classic
Doing one’s share of the work has never sounded so nautical! This gem of an idiom comes straight from the rowing world, where every team member must pull on their oar hard enough to make sure the boat glides smoothly. Row slowly or sloppily, and everyone’s going to have a rough ride—both in boats and group projects!
Synonyms and Similar Terms
- Pull one’s own oar
- Do your fair share
- Pull your load
- Carry your weight
- Pitch in
- Contribute equally
Proverbs and Expressions
- “Many hands make light work.” – Emphasizing the benefits of everyone doing their share.
- “There is no ‘I’ in team.” – Highlighting the importance of collective effort.
Quotes
- “The first requisite of a good citizen . . . is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight.” — Theodore Roosevelt, 1902
Literature, Songs, and Movies
- Book: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin - an excellent read on teamwork and shared effort.
- Song: “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers - Celebrating the spirit of mutual support.
- Movie: Remember the Titans - A dramatic portrayal of teamwork and individual role contribution.
Quiz Time!
### Which of these phrases mean doing one's share of the work?
- [ ] A ship in harbor is safe
- [x] Pull your weight
- [ ] Curiosity killed the cat
- [ ] Break the ice
> **Explanation:** "Pull your weight" means to do your share of the work, derived from the rowing crew context. The other phrases refer to different idiomatic expressions entirely.
### Which idiom relates to teamwork and collective effort?
- [ ] The cat's out of the bag
- [ ] Barking up the wrong tree
- [x] There's no 'I' in team
- [ ] Spill the beans
> **Explanation:** "There's no 'I' in team" emphasizes the importance of collective effort and teamwork, signalling that success comes from working together.
### True or False: "Holding up the fort" means doing your share of the work
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** The idiom "Pulling your weight" refers to doing your share of the work, while "Holding up the fort" means maintaining the status quo or taking charge in someone's absence.
### Which of these was famously said by Theodore Roosevelt?
- [x] The first requisite of a good citizen . . . is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight.
- [ ] Leave no stone unturned
- [ ] Let sleeping dogs lie
- [ ] Don't burn your bridges
> **Explanation:** The quote "The first requisite of a good citizen . . . is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight." is famously attributed to Theodore Roosevelt in 1902.
### Pick the context-appropriate example: "Team members must learn to ___ to achieve success."
- [x] pull their weight
- [ ] sell like hotcakes
- [ ] beat around the bush
- [ ] cry over spilled milk
> **Explanation:** The phrase "pull their weight" is the correct idiom to emphasize the necessity of each team member doing their share of the work for success.
### True or False: The imagery for "Pulling your weight" comes from sewing.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** Incorrect! The imagery actually comes from rowing, where every member must pull hard to ensure the boat moves smoothly.
Parting Thought: Remember, everyone enjoys smoother sailing when we all pull our weight. Until next time, may your collective efforts row your boat gently down the stream!
- W. T. Wittywords
Published on 2023-10-01
