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troperville

Straight: "Bob, you destroyed the public library and let three drug-smugglers go free, but thanks to you, the mayor's daughter is safe, so I guess I can't fire you."
Exaggerated:
- "Bob, you obliterated three cities and allowed seven of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted to escape, but the mayor's daughter will most likely live, so here's your reward."
- "Bob, you just destroyed half of the universe and released a prison of crazy serial killers, but the mayor's dog is safe, so I can't fire you."
Downplayed: The mistakes Bob made actually were trivial compared to what good he did, but his superior still wants to warn him about those mistakes.
Justified:
- The purpose of the mission was to save the mayor's daughter, so Bob technically did what he was required to do.
- "You risked many lives just to save one. I guess you showed us what it truly means to be an officer."
- The mayor's daughter is the key witness against the drug-smugglers, so there was no point in catching them but losing her as they would have had to be let go anyway. The library's destruction was not his idea.
Inverted: "Bob, I'm glad you avoided collateral damage and caught the bad guys, but the mayor's daughter died in the chaos, so I'm going to need you to turn in your badge."
Subverted: "You destroyed the public library and let three drug-smugglers go free. Turn in your badge."
Double Subverted: "At least, that's what I should be saying, but the mayor went to bat for you after you saved his daughter, so I guess I can't fire you."
Parodied: "Bob, you leveled the city, killed thousands of people, destroyed seven national landmarks, and got me a doughnut. I think someone's up for a promotion!"
Zig Zagged: (continued from "Double Subverted") "...But I don't answer to the mayor, so you've got 30 minutes to clean out your desk."
Averted:
- No collateral damage was caused.
- Or the mission went perfectly.
Enforced: The executives want to keep this Cash Cow Franchise going, so they prevent the screenwriters from firing the hero.
Lampshaded:
- "Phew! For a second there, I really thought you were going to fire me!"
- Bob's rival, Carl, who would have Bob's promotion otherwise, looks on the conversation:
Carl: "That Bob sure is gonna get it."
The Chief: "...But you saved the President's daughter, so I'm going to promote you."
Carl: "WHAT!"
Invoked: Bob is about to be fired, but brings up the point that he saved the mayor's daughter. The chief concedes Bob's argument, and allows him to keep his job.
Exploited: Bob knows that, as long as he does some good, he won't get in trouble, so he does whatever he feels like.
Defied: "Listen, I don't give a damn that you saved the mayor's daughter! You destroyed a building and you didn't catch your man! You're fired!"
Discussed: ???
Conversed: ???

Alright, troper, you ruined an examples page and allowed misspelling on a Useful Notes page. But the Arson Murder And Life Saving page is still intact, so I guess you're alright.

Arrogant Kung Fu Guy

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