Addition by subtraction

When one person in the group leaves and the group as a whole becomes better

Kyle- "Finally Jimmy left"
Leo- "Jimmy was so ugly and drunk. Now all the ladies will come to us"
Steve- "Yeah, it's definitely addition by subtraction"

by Skeet Master Steve June 21, 2009

Addition by subtraction

The phenomenon where a group of four or more people will raise their productivity in the event the least productive person is removed.

Me: “Have you seen Sam lately? We are finally making progress on our project & he is nowhere to be found?”
Boss: “Sam got canned yesterday. I walked him out personally. Sam was fired.”
Me: “Okay, yet another example of addition by subtraction”

by WeAreUFC October 10, 2025