leave it on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave it on the table" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of leaving something (usually an item or object) on a table. For example: "I put the book down on the table and told him to leave it on the table for me to pick up later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Researchers put the confection in front of small children and tell them they can have one now if they'd like, though if they leave it on the table they can have two later on.

The New York Times

This then spawned an industry of fake phones so you could buy a cheap copy and leave it on the table in a restaurant so everyone could see you were one of the elite and ease your status anxiety.

HuffPost

"Fine," the youth replies with a dismissive gesture, "just leave it on the table".

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes Fisher would remove the tray, and sometimes Schwartz would, and sometimes they would leave it on the table.

The New Yorker

It's a balancing act to be immersed and passionate about my professional life but leave it on the table when I walk in my front door.

The Guardian

Each person is expected to give their own tip to the waiter, but they should not leave it on the table.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I had left it on the table.

The New York Times

Marcia's purse was where she'd left it, on the table in the hallway.

The New Yorker

The waiter brings an enormous crockery bowl of chocolate mousse and leaves it on the table.

The Guardian - Books

Inside the cabin he found the stub of a pencil and wrote a note on the edge of an old newspaper, and left it on the table.

The New Yorker

Industry observers, though, have speculated that the Nationals already have made a significant offer, and for now, are leaving it on the table.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave it on the table" to describe a negotiation or competition, ensure that the context makes it clear you're referring to something still available or unutilized. Otherwise it might be interpreted literally.

Common error

Avoid using "leave it on the table" in contexts where a literal interpretation is more likely, such as describing a messy dining area. Rephrase to avoid confusion and clarify your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave it on the table" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It can literally instruct someone to place something on a table or figuratively imply that resources or options are being unutilized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave it on the table" is a versatile expression that can be used literally or figuratively. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Literally, it means to place something on a table. Figuratively, it suggests not utilizing all available resources or options. Usage is common across various contexts, particularly in news and media, with a generally neutral register. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations by ensuring contextual clarity. Related phrases such as "abandon it" or "table it" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

table it

Refers to postponing or deferring a discussion or decision, which is a more specific context than the original phrase.

shelve it

Means to postpone or put aside for later consideration, similar to 'table it' but with a slightly different connotation.

abandon it

Focuses on the act of completely giving up on something, differing from merely leaving it in a specific place.

set it aside

Emphasizes the act of putting something to one side, either temporarily or permanently, which is less specific than leaving it on the table.

put it down

Implies placing something somewhere, but doesn't necessarily specify the table, thus broadening the context.

defer it

Focuses on delaying something to a future time, a more formal alternative to postponing.

put it on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension of activity, differing from a more permanent abandonment.

drop it off

Suggests delivering something, rather than simply leaving it, adding an element of transportation.

leave no stone unturned

This idiom suggests thoroughness and utilizing all available resources, contrasting with leaving something behind.

go all out

Means to put forth maximum effort, contrasting with leaving something unfinished or untouched.

FAQs

How can I use "leave it on the table" in a sentence?

You can use "leave it on the table" to mean physically leaving something on a table, as in "Please "leave it on the table" after you're done reading it". It can also figuratively mean not utilizing all available resources or options, as in "They decided to "leave it on the table" during negotiations".

What does "leave it all on the table" mean?

"Leave it all on the table" means to expend all of one's energy and resources in an effort, holding nothing back. It's often used in sports or competitive situations.

Which is correct, "leave it on the table" or "leave it at the table"?

"Leave it on the table" and "leave it at the table" have different meanings. "Leave it on the table" refers to the physical act of placing something on a table or figuratively not utilizing all available resources. "Leave it at the table" means to keep a discussion or argument confined to the context of a meeting or negotiation.

What can I say instead of ""leave it on the table""?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "abandon it", "table it" (meaning to postpone), or "set it aside".