discussions over lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discussions over lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to conversations or exchanges of ideas that take place during a lunch meeting or gathering. Example: "We had some productive discussions over lunch about the upcoming project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Published by the company that would become DC Comics, the Batman stories were an immediate hit and pushed the men hard: they would work in Mr. Kane's Bronx apartment and have long discussions over lunch or dinner to come up with content.

The New York Times - Books

In order to get to know the postdoctoral scholars and their concerns better, I decided to hold weekly informal roundtable discussions over lunch with five or six postdoctoral fellows.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Whether they were allowed to do that was another matter, the subject of occasional heated discussion over lunch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Andrew White, one of the partners, revealed: "This race featured in a half-hearted discussion over lunch at Chester, but even until last Friday we didn't know for sure what we were going to do".

Independent

In a 90-minute discussion over lunch with editors and reporters of The New York Times, Mr. Racicot also disputed the Democrats' argument that in focusing intently on Iraq, President Bush had neglected the economy.

The New York Times

Their busy summer will see them touring through the US, Belgium, France, England, and the Czech Republic, and during our in-depth discussion over lunch, we touched on their longtime connection to Burning Man, their totally sick new stage show, and the endless love they have for their fans.

Vice

Focus on the goal, please!" Last year, as my 21-year-old son packed up to leave our Atlanta home and return to NY to live, we had a discussion over lunch and he said, "Mommy, can you believe how our lives have changed because of pit bulls?

Huffington Post

All pediatric residents were invited to join the focus group discussion over lunch provided by the investigator one Saturday afternoon, to avoid interference with the scheduled conferences during the work week.

BMC Pediatrics

"You thieves," said the governor.The recriminations over, lunch was served.

The Economist

Holidays were discussed over lunch.

The Guardian

He proposed discussing it over lunch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discussions over lunch" to indicate an informal or semi-formal setting where ideas are exchanged while eating. It's suitable for describing casual meetings or brainstorming sessions.

Common error

Avoid using "discussions over lunch" in highly formal contexts where a more structured meeting or presentation is expected. Opt for terms like "lunch meeting" or "working lunch" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discussions over lunch" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the time and setting of the discussions. The noun "discussions" acts as the head, while "over lunch" specifies when and where these discussions take place. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science & Research

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discussions over lunch" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe conversations or idea exchanges occurring during a lunchtime setting. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English. While primarily seen in News & Media and Science & Research contexts, it holds a generally neutral to informal tone. When writing, consider the formality of your setting; in more formal environments, phrases like "lunch meeting" might be more appropriate. The phrase is considered Uncommon, with limited examples found. When similar phrases are needed, consider alternatives such as "lunchtime discussions" or "conversations during lunch".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lunch discussions

Omits the preposition, creating a more concise version.

lunchtime discussions

Replaces the preposition "over" with a compound adjective, implying discussions that take place during the lunch period.

exchanges over lunch

Highlights the exchange of ideas or information, rather than simply the discussion.

conversations during lunch

Uses "conversations" instead of "discussions" and "during" instead of "over", offering a more straightforward phrasing.

dialogue during lunch

Replaces "discussions" with "dialogue", emphasizing a more structured or formal exchange.

lunch meetings

Focuses on the meeting aspect, implying that discussions are part of a formal or informal meeting setting.

talking during lunch

Uses the verb "talking" to emphasize the act of speaking during the meal.

informal lunchtime chats

Highlights the informality of the discussions, suggesting a casual atmosphere.

mealtime conversations

Broadens the context to any meal, not just lunch.

brainstorming over lunch

Specifies the type of discussion, implying a creative problem-solving session.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "discussions over lunch"?

Consider using alternatives like "lunchtime discussions", "conversations during lunch", or "informal lunchtime chats" to add nuance.

Is "discussions over lunch" too informal for a business setting?

While generally acceptable, for highly formal business settings, "lunch meeting" or "working lunch" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "discussions over lunch" and "lunch meeting"?

"Discussions over lunch" suggests a more casual exchange of ideas during a meal, while "lunch meeting" implies a more structured and purposeful gathering.

When is it appropriate to use "discussions over lunch"?

It's suitable for describing scenarios where conversations and idea exchanges occur naturally during a lunch break, such as informal team meetings or networking opportunities.