bring nothing to the table

USAGE SUMMARY

'bring nothing to the table' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this expression when you want to indicate that a person or a thing does not offer any value or benefit. For example: "My colleague doesn't have any relevant experience in this field and will really bring nothing to the table during this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You should not assume that someone won't take the group seriously unless they have repeatedly skipped meetings, failed to complete tasks, or otherwise bring nothing to the table.

WikiHow

I'm here to tell you that if a bitch ain't able to bring nothing to the table then the bitch ain't gonna be in my stable.

Vice

"Local partners for every other global manufacturer in China are pretty much dead weight for the joint ventures in that they bring nothing to the table while taking about half the profits on every vehicle sold," said G.E. Anderson, a Taiwan-based consultant.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He brought nothing to the table.

The New Yorker

It was a meaningless experience; it brought nothing to the table.

The Guardian - Film

Games like Mortal Kombat brought nothing to the table except name recognition among 12-year-olds.

The New York Times - Tech

Of Mr. Gentile, Mr. DiCarlo said, "He brings nothing to the table when it comes to the budget process.

The New York Times

Even here, though, it's terribly over-used - you find people mixing it with chilli and soy sauce and ginger, for a cheeky oriental theme, which is just lunacy, since in those cases, you want an oil that brings nothing to the table but oiliness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm world champion, I'm calling him out, we want the fight, there's a world title and a bagful of money and it doesn't make sense that he's fighting this guy who's bringing nothing to the table.

The Guardian - Sport

Being the first major social network to do so means nothing when it brings nothing to the table.

TechCrunch

The Spanish League, as an organization, brings nothing to the table other than a perceived importance on account of the nationality.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring nothing to the table" when you want to emphasize a complete lack of contribution or value in a particular situation. It's most effective when highlighting someone's or something's ineffectiveness within a group or endeavor.

Common error

Avoid using "bring nothing to the table" to describe minor imperfections or areas needing improvement. This expression is most suitable when describing a total lack of value, not just a slight deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring nothing to the table" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate the absence of any valuable contribution from a person, object, or idea. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Wiki

33.33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "bring nothing to the table" is used to describe a situation where someone or something offers no value or contribution. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable expression in English. The phrase functions to criticize or dismiss something, implying ineffectiveness. While understandable in most contexts, it is more suitable for neutral to informal situations. Alternatives include "contribute nothing" or "offer no value". Ensure that it's used when there's truly a lack of contribution, not just a minor deficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring nothing to the equation

Similar to the original, but uses 'equation' to represent a situation or problem.

contribute nothing

Highlights the absence of any positive input or participation.

offer no value

Focuses on the lack of worth or benefit provided.

provide no benefit

Stresses the absence of advantages or helpfulness.

offer no advantages

Emphasizes the absence of positive attributes or benefits.

add no substance

Emphasizes the lack of meaningful content or depth.

lack any merit

Focuses on the absence of positive qualities or worth.

are of no use

Indicates a lack of utility or helpfulness.

fail to deliver

Highlights the inability to produce expected results.

are unproductive

Indicates a lack of useful output or results.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "bring nothing to the table"?

You can use alternatives like "offer no value", "contribute nothing", or "add no substance" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bring nothing to the table" in formal writing?

While "bring nothing to the table" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "provide no benefit" or "contribute nothing".

What does it mean when someone says another person "brings nothing to the table"?

It means that the person in question doesn't offer any valuable skills, ideas, or resources to a particular situation or group effort. It implies a lack of contribution or usefulness.

Can you use "bring nothing to the table" to describe an object or concept?

Yes, you can. The phrase isn't limited to people; it can also describe objects, ideas, or strategies that lack value or effectiveness in a specific context. For example: "That new software "brings nothing new to the table"."