been on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been on the table" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a topic or issue has been discussed or considered. Example: "The proposal for a new marketing strategy has been on the table for several weeks now, and we need to make a decision soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's one of those things that been on the table for a long time, but nothing's ever happened," he said.

Forbes

It's been on the table since day one.

BBC

But an IPO might have been on the table before Smith decided to go for one more round.

TechCrunch

"It's been on the table," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

So why has such action never been on the table?

The New York Times

"Military actions have been on the table and remain on the table," he said.

The New Yorker

The proposal has been on the table since the middle of last year.

The Guardian

It hasn't been on the table, and it has not been discussed".

The Guardian

Some of the flagship projects, like the industrial parks, have been on the table for months.

The New York Times

But why should incarceration, a potentially devastating event even when kept to a minimum, ever have been on the table?

University of California, Berkeley

You can bet your bottom dollar that tripling fees would not have been on the table.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been on the table" to clearly indicate that an idea or proposal has been discussed or considered previously, often over a period of time. This suggests familiarity and potential for further action.

Common error

Avoid using "been on the table" when you mean something is being actively considered right now for the first time. The phrase implies a history of prior discussion or awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been on the table" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily acting as a predicate adjective. It describes a subject (an idea, proposal, or issue) as having been previously considered or discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

General Conversation

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been on the table" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate that a topic, idea, or proposal has been previously discussed or considered. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its wide acceptance and usability in written English. It functions as a predicate adjective, conveying familiarity and suggesting a history of consideration. While suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general conversation, it's important to avoid using it when referring to something being considered for the very first time. Alternatives such as "under consideration", "up for discussion", or "under review" can be used to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under consideration

Focuses on the active evaluation process rather than the duration of availability.

up for discussion

Highlights the possibility of debate and deliberation about the topic.

under review

Emphasizes a formal assessment or examination.

being considered

A more literal and less idiomatic way of saying something is being thought about.

in the pipeline

Suggests something is in development or progressing towards implementation.

on the agenda

Indicates that something is scheduled to be discussed or acted upon.

a live option

Highlights that something is a feasible and current possibility.

available for consideration

Stresses the accessibility and openness to discuss a particular topic.

in contention

Suggests that something is being actively debated or competed for.

proposed

A direct way of indicating that something has been suggested for consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "been on the table" in a sentence?

You can use "been on the table" to indicate that a particular idea, proposal, or issue has been discussed or considered before. For example: "The possibility of merging the two departments has "been on the table" for several years now."

What's a similar phrase to "been on the table"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "under consideration", "up for discussion", or "under review", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been on the table" or "had been on the table"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different timeframes. "Has been on the table" implies it's still relevant, while "had been on the table" suggests it was considered in the past but may no longer be.

What's the difference between "been on the table" and "on the agenda"?

"Been on the table" implies prior discussion or consideration, while "on the agenda" simply means something is scheduled to be discussed, regardless of whether it has been discussed before.