Take one for the team (single person)

[Ashraful Haque]

According to idioms.com the meaning of 'take one for the team' is 'to sacrifice one's own welfare or interests in favor of others'.

A: I have a really bad headache.
B: OK, you can all go home, and I’ll work late. I’m going to take one for the team.

Does there have to more than one person when using this idiom? I'm not sure about the example above since when B is says 'team' he only means A (one person).

 

[teechar]

I'm not sure about the example above since when B is says 'team' he only means A (one person).

Think of the team as being A and B. It works!

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Think of the team as being A and B. It works!

Do you mean A + B = The team?

 

[teechar]

Yes, it can.

 

[probus]

There is no actual team involved. The idiom is purely metaphorical, just as there are no animals involved when we say it's raining cats and dogs.

 

[Skrej]

In the context of a company or organization, the 'team' might also refer to the company/organization in general. Even if there are just two of them working on this particular project, by staying late and working solo, B is taking one for the team (i.e. company, organization, etc.) because his efforts ultimately benefit the company.