Meaning & use
on the table
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Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
Offered or available for discussion and possible agreement, as a plan, offer or option.
Grammar: Used after be, put or leave: the offer is on the table.
Patterns
- be on the table
- put something on the table
The union says the pay offer is still on the table.
Both options are on the table, so we can choose later.
Nothing is off the table at this stage of the talks.
phraseidiomAmericanformal
In American meetings, put aside for later and not discussed now.
Grammar: Used mostly with table as a verb: they tabled the motion, meaning they postponed it.
Patterns
- lay something on the table
The committee left the motion on the table until next week.
The proposal was put on the table and ignored for months.
Because of the vote, the issue was left on the table.
phrasefixed phrase
Resting on top of a table, in a literal sense.
Grammar: Literal use: the keys are on the table.
Patterns
- on the table
Your keys are on the table by the door.
She left a note on the table.
The dishes are already on the table.
Common combinations
- put something on the table
- The buyer put a new offer on the table.
- leave something on the table
- Don't leave any money on the table when you negotiate.
- still on the table
- The job offer is still on the table.
- everything is on the table
- For this discussion, everything is on the table.
- off the table
- A pay cut is off the table.
Synonyms and how they differ
- up for discussion
- Up for discussion is plainer and stresses that people can talk about it, while on the table suggests a specific offer or option.
- under consideration
- Under consideration is formal and suggests the matter is being studied, rather than offered.
- available
- Available only says it can be obtained, whereas on the table suggests it is part of a negotiation.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: on the table or under the table?
on the table vs under the table
Under the table means done secretly and often illegally, as in payments under the table, which is the opposite of an open offer.
Practice
During talks, the manager says: Every option is on the table. What does she mean?
Choose one answer.
On the table means available for discussion. The other options describe the opposite, or something unrelated.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on the table”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.