elephant on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elephant on the table" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an obvious problem or issue that is being ignored or not addressed in a discussion. Example: "During the meeting, we all knew there was an elephant on the table regarding the budget cuts, but no one wanted to bring it up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The elephant on the table is the teacher shortage," Ms. Weingarten said.

The New York Times

It's the elephant on the table, and we, with everyone else, we have to solve it".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's kind of this elephant on the table that they're pretending doesn't exist, but is a huge problem".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But my bedspread is full of colourfully stitched elephants and I confess to having acquired a couple of small toy elephants that live on the table next to my bed.

eLife

The elephant in the room, moose on the table, mouse in the house is how everyone else in a design-focused organization feels about the designers.

Forbes

"We've been in the market in Kinshasa where we've estimated the ivory from more than 200 elephants has been on the tables for sale on a single day," he said.

BBC

As world leaders start to arrive in London for next week's Wildlife Crime Conference, concrete solutions to the current elephant poaching crisis need to be put on the table.

Independent

I would be remiss if I neglected another option, the elephant in the room, that needs to be on the table if we are going to disarm America's gun culture: the media and entertainment industry.

Huffington Post

ANCHORAGE, Aug. 25 (AP) — A proposal is on the table to move Alaska's only elephant out of the state, a plan that has found favor with both the Alaska Zoo and animal rights groups.

The New York Times

Therefore, there is no elephant in the room"—similarly for my glasses not being on the table (presuming the table is not so cluttered that they could be concealed).

SEP

At the GOP retreat in West Virginia, Shuster called the gas tax the "elephant in the room" and urged his colleagues to at least put it on the table for consideration.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elephant on the table" when you want to emphasize not only that an issue is obvious, but also that people are deliberately avoiding discussing it. This phrase adds a layer of social commentary.

Common error

Avoid using "elephant on the table" interchangeably with "elephant in the room" without considering context. While similar, "elephant on the table" suggests an issue that should be addressed directly and openly, whereas "elephant in the room" refers to a problem everyone is aware of but avoids discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elephant on the table" functions as a noun phrase operating as an idiomatic expression. It is used to describe an obvious issue or problem that is being ignored or avoided. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elephant on the table" is a correct and usable idiom that refers to an obvious problem or issue that is being ignored or avoided. Though used infrequently, this phrase can be found in authoritative news sources like The New York Times and the Huffington Post. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, emphasizing its role in calling attention to issues that need to be addressed directly. While similar to "elephant in the room", "elephant on the table" implies a stronger call for open discussion and action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elephant in the room

Very similar, but references the room instead of the table.

obvious problem

Focuses directly on the issue's clarity, lacking the metaphorical weight of the original phrase.

unspoken issue

Highlights the lack of direct communication, less emphatic than the original.

glaring problem

Emphasizes the obviousness of the issue but omits the aspect of avoidance.

prominent issue

Stresses the importance and visibility of a concern but lacks the avoidance aspect.

undeniable difficulty

More formal and less evocative, simply stating a hard-to-ignore problem.

key challenge

Focuses on the difficulty presented, without the implication of being ignored.

ignored reality

Highlights the act of ignoring, focusing less on the inherent nature of the problem itself.

main obstacle

Highlights the impedance created by the issue, moving away from the aspect of being ignored.

central contention

More formal and academic, refers to a key point of disagreement or debate.

FAQs

What does "elephant on the table" mean?

The phrase "elephant on the table" refers to an obvious problem or difficult issue that is present but not being discussed or addressed. It suggests the problem is so large it's hard to ignore, yet people are actively avoiding it.

How is "elephant on the table" different from "elephant in the room"?

While similar, "elephant on the table" emphasizes the need for open discussion and direct confrontation of the issue, whereas "elephant in the room" simply highlights the presence of an awkward or uncomfortable issue everyone is aware of but avoids.

Where does the idiom "elephant on the table" come from?

The exact origin isn't definitively known, but it likely stems from the general idea of an "elephant in the room", with the "table" adding the connotation of a problem that should be openly addressed during a meeting or discussion.

What are some alternatives to saying "elephant on the table"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "obvious problem", "unspoken issue", or "glaring problem" to convey a similar meaning, but without the idiomatic color.