left on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

"left on the table" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe that something has been abandoned and remains available for someone else to take. For example, "He left his unfinished sandwich on the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The REN bid, presented jointly with Oman Oil, was the only one left on the table.

The Guardian - Business

Amendments were left on the table.

The New York Times

"Money is being left on the table," Hunt says.

The Guardian - Film

Beyond antibiotics, we have few options left on the table.

The Guardian

"But it should be left on the table".

The New York Times

And the gambling question was left on the table.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

How much money does that leave on the table?

The New York Times

Additionally, they leave on the table a printed glossary of chilies, sauces and spices.

The New York Times

What are we leaving on the table?

Forbes

Basically, AirAsia ate up the crumbs that the big airlines were leaving on the table.

Forbes

So how much money do you leave on the table by being a "Dove"?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left on the table" when discussing missed opportunities, unaddressed issues, or potential benefits that were not realized. This idiom is particularly effective in business and political contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "left on the table" in literal contexts. This phrase is an idiom that does not refer to physical objects remaining on a table, but rather to intangible opportunities, resources, or issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left on the table" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe missed opportunities, unresolved issues, or potential benefits that were not realized or addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left on the table" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that describes missed opportunities or unresolved issues. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and business contexts. When writing, remember that this expression should be used to describe intangible concepts rather than physical objects. For alternatives, consider options like "unclaimed" or "untapped" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untapped

Referring to resources or potential that has not been exploited.

unclaimed

This alternative focuses on the aspect of something not being taken or utilized.

passed up

Implies that an opportunity was not taken advantage of.

unaddressed

Highlights the fact that something hasn't been dealt with or considered.

unresolved

This suggests that a matter remains undecided or not dealt with.

forgone

This means something has been intentionally given up or abstained from.

overlooked

Indicates that something has been missed or not noticed.

remaining available

This alternative directly states the condition of being still accessible or obtainable.

neglected

This implies a failure to care for or attend to something.

available for grabs

This conveys the sense that something is readily available and easily obtainable by anyone.

FAQs

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

Use "left on the table" to describe missed opportunities or unaddressed issues, such as: "The negotiation failed, and a lot of potential benefits were "left on the table"".

What is a synonym for "left on the table"?

Alternatives to "left on the table" include "unclaimed", "untapped", or "forgone", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

What does it mean when something is "left on the table"?

When something is "left on the table", it means that it was not utilized, addressed, or agreed upon. It often refers to opportunities or resources that were not taken advantage of.

Is "left on the table" a formal expression?

While "left on the table" can be used in professional settings, it is generally considered a neutral expression. More formal alternatives might be preferred in highly formal contexts.