chat over a meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chat over a meal" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when referring to a social gathering or conversation that is taking place during a meal. For example: "We enjoyed catching up and chatting over a meal last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The idea that it could be "not just a place to cook and chat over a meal but actually a place for thinking about art was brilliant," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Interviewed separately, then filmed together chatting over a meal, all six protagonists emerge from this film well: their good humour and obvious trust in the directors provide a stark contrast to the understandably guarded and bland answers that one is more accustomed to hearing from footballers thrust into the spotlight.

The Guardian - Sport

Chatting recently over a meal in the canteen, soldiers discussed the local history.

The New York Times

Wayne recommended they chat over a "nice good American meal," and suggested a restaurant across the street from the Tucson Mall.

The New Yorker

They get their bread, a chat and a meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Last night the guys got together over a meal and had a chat," says Read. "We were devastated to see we weren't going to start on time.

The Guardian - Sport

(No. 1 was over a meal).

The New York Times

How long do lions linger over a meal anyway?

The New York Times - Travel

Bringing people together over a meal to celebrate diversity.

Huffington Post

I like initiatives such as the Big Lunch, where whole streets hold a festive meal together once a year, but now we need to come up with a way to encourage community cooking – getting neighbours to meet once a week to chat over a casserole.

Independent

"We will add 90 seconds for a chat over a gin and tonic," Watson quipped.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chat over a meal" to describe a relaxed social setting. For instance, replace "Let's discuss this at the office" with "Let's chat over a meal to make it less formal".

Common error

While "chat over a meal" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal business or academic writing. Opt for more professional terms like "discuss during lunch" or "confer during dinner" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chat over a meal" functions as a descriptive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to indicate a social activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe informal conversations taking place during meal times.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chat over a meal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a casual conversation during a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing relaxed social interactions, primarily in news, lifestyle, and general contexts. While it is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more professional alternatives like "discuss during dinner". Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the relaxed and social aspect of a conversation taking place while eating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

converse during a meal

Focuses on the act of conversing specifically during the mealtime.

discuss things while eating

Highlights the discussion aspect that happens during eating.

talk during dinner

Specifically refers to talking during the dinner meal.

share a conversation at lunch

Emphasizes sharing conversation specifically at lunch time.

have a discussion over food

Focuses on the discussion taking place while food is being consumed.

enjoy conversation during a repast

Uses a more formal term "repast" for meal, indicating elevated register.

gab while dining

Uses the informal term "gab" for chat, indicating a more relaxed conversation.

exchange pleasantries over supper

Highlights the exchange of polite conversation during supper.

shoot the breeze while having lunch

Uses the idiomatic expression "shoot the breeze" to indicate casual conversation.

have a natter over dinner

Uses the British term "natter" indicating informal conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "chat over a meal" in a sentence?

You can use "chat over a meal" to describe informal conversations during meals. For example, "We often "chat over a meal" to catch up on each other's lives".

What are some alternatives to "chat over a meal"?

Some alternatives include "converse during a meal", "discuss things while eating", or "talk during dinner", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chat over a meal" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "chat over a meal" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider more professional alternatives like "discuss during lunch" or "confer during dinner".

What does it mean to "chat over a meal"?

To "chat over a meal" means to have a casual conversation while eating. It implies a relaxed and social atmosphere, often used for catching up with friends or family.