https://www.proz.com/kudoz/english/general-conversation-greetings-letters/6939890-we-really-are-getting-up-to-a-fine-start.html
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Pur E and U Only
PEG HIM
Mar 10, 2021 11:08
3 yrs ago
39 viewers *
English term

we really are getting up to a fine start

English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
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.
.
.
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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
Responses
4 +9 things are beginning well
Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (1): Yvonne Gallagher

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Discussion

mike23 Mar 10, 2021:
get off to a good start If you get off to a good start, you are successful in the early stages of doing something. e.g. The new Prime Minister has got off to a good start, but he still has to demonstrate what manner of leader he is going to be.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/get-off...

Responses

+9
6 mins
Selected

things are beginning well

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!
Note from asker:
Thank you
Peer comment(s):
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
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you"