fall off the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall off the table" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe something dropping from a high place. For example, "The vase fell off the table and shattered on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

By contrast, Mr. Ferrer, the Bronx borough president, did not outline a specific proposal for rebuilding; he argued that even as the city deals with reconstruction and security, it should not allow issues like education, health and housing to "fall off the table".

The New York Times

When a student is not actively engaged, those items never get stored, but pile up and eventually fall off the table's edge.

Huffington Post

Thus an object at the edge of a table whose COM is high (i.e., top-heavy) will sooner fall off the table than an object whose COM is lower in the presence of a perturbation.

Plosone

That's how we make a living, off the scraps that fall off the table," said Cullen.

The Washington Post

This one so big and fat if he fall off the table it take six men to pick him up.

The New York Times

The Bush administration has expended too much political capital on the issue to allow it to fall off the table.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Tax revenues fell off the table.

The New York Times

The fire truck fell off the table for the fifth year in a row.

The New York Times

"After a fairly benign spring, we just fell off the table," he said.

The New York Times

Then at the end of the '80s, when the market fell off the table, I fell off with it.

The New York Times

And here are two others that have fallen off the table: climate change.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall off the table" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a literal falling or a decline in importance.

Common error

Avoid using "fall off the table" in contexts where the literal meaning is confusing or unintended. Clarify with additional context if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall off the table" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It can describe a literal physical event, where an object drops from a table. Metaphorically, it indicates that something has been removed from consideration or has diminished in importance as mentioned by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall off the table" is a common and versatile idiom used both literally and figuratively. Grammatically correct and frequently encountered, it describes either an object physically dropping or a topic being removed from consideration. According to Ludwig, this phrase is valid in English. Its register is generally neutral, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain contexts. Ludwig's examples highlight its usage across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, suggesting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be removed from consideration

Focuses on the removal of a topic from consideration, rather than a literal fall.

go by the board

Indicates that something has been abandoned or rejected.

drop out of sight

Indicates something becoming less visible or important.

lose importance

Highlights the reduction in significance or relevance.

be sidelined

Suggests being moved to the periphery or rendered inactive.

be forgotten

Highlights the act of forgetting something, emphasizing memory rather than physical movement.

become irrelevant

Focuses on the loss of relevance or applicability.

lose traction

Implies a loss of momentum or progress.

decrease sharply

Emphasizes a rapid decrease in quantity or quality.

plummet

Suggests a sudden and rapid drop, often in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

How can I use "fall off the table" in a sentence?

You can use "fall off the table" to describe something literally dropping from a table, or metaphorically to mean something is no longer being considered or has lost importance. For example, "The negotiations "fell off the table" when the parties couldn't agree".

What does it mean when something "falls off the table"?

It can mean something literally dropped from a table, or figuratively it means something has been removed from consideration, is no longer important, or has been forgotten.

What are some alternatives to "fall off the table"?

Alternatives include "be removed from consideration", "lose importance", or "be forgotten", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "fall off the table" in formal writing?

While "fall off the table" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "be excluded" or "be disregarded" in professional or academic contexts to maintain a higher level of formality.