leave the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'leave the table' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to move away from a table, or when telling someone that you are leaving a table. For example: "I need to leave the table now, so I can pick up the kids from school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He stands to leave the table.

The New Yorker

And I did not leave the table".

The New Yorker

Leave the table by 12 14.

The New York Times - Arts

"Told not to leave the table until I eat it".

The New York Times - Magazine

If guests leave the table unhappy, it's not just embarrassing, it's a professional disaster.

The New York Times - Food

When diners leave the table, their entree is transferred to a warming cart.

The New York Times - Food

Or does the gambler's instinct have to know when to leave the table?

The Guardian - Film

At one point, I had to leave the table to give myself a pep talk.

The New Yorker

The fact that they were in no rush to leave the table suggests they enjoy it.

The Guardian

A senior offficial added: "I don't think you can leave the table.

The New York Times

He begins to excited, and Dr. Stenton and his sister-in-law leave the table.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, consider the character's personality and the context. Use more formal alternatives like "excuse myself from the table" in professional settings or "step away from the table" when one plans on returning.

Common error

Avoid using "leave the table" when you intend to convey a temporary absence. Instead, opt for phrases like "step away from the table" or "excuse myself briefly" to indicate a short break.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave the table" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of departing from a table. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave the table" is a common and grammatically sound expression indicating the action of departing from a table. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and versatile, fitting various contexts from polite requests to factual statements. While its register is generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives like "excuse myself from the table" or more casual options like "step away from the table" depending on the situation. Be mindful of implied duration and use specific language to clarify temporary versus permanent departures. Remember that in negotiations, to "leave the table" signifies withdrawing from discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be excused from the table

Highlights the permission granted to depart, often used in formal settings.

excuse oneself from the table

Emphasizes the act of asking for permission to leave, highlighting politeness.

step away from the table

Suggests a temporary departure, implying a possible return.

get up from the table

Focuses on the physical act of getting up, similar to "rise from the table" but less formal.

rise from the table

Focuses on the physical action of standing up, often indicating the end of the meal.

depart from the table

A more formal way of saying leaving the table, often used in written contexts.

vacate the table

Suggests leaving the table empty for someone else to use.

quit the table

Implies a more abrupt or permanent departure, possibly due to disagreement or dissatisfaction.

absent oneself from the table

Highlights that one is not present at the table, without explicitly stating the action of leaving.

take one's leave of the table

An older, more elaborate way of saying leaving, implying a formal farewell.

FAQs

Is it more polite to say "leave the table" or "excuse myself from the table"?

"Excuse myself from the table" is generally considered more polite, especially in formal settings, as it explicitly seeks permission to depart.

What's a less formal way to say "leave the table"?

You can use phrases like "step away from the table" or "get up from the table" in more casual contexts.

Can "leave the table" imply a temporary absence?

While "leave the table" can be used for both temporary and permanent departures, it's better to use more specific phrases like "step away from the table" if you intend to return shortly.

What does it mean in negotiations to "leave the table"?

In negotiation contexts, to "leave the table" means to withdraw from discussions, indicating an unwillingness to continue under the current terms.