lunch is over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lunch is over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the lunch break has ended and that it is time to resume work or activities. Example: "After a refreshing break, the supervisor announced that lunch is over and everyone should return to their desks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The free lunch is over, so to speak.

Parallel Programming Concepts and Practice

Lunch is over, and we make our way down through the deserted building.

The New Yorker

Lunch is over, the players are back out, and action is very much about to happen.

The Guardian - Sport

But John W. Rowe, Exelon's chief executive, said, "The carbon-based free lunch is over".

The New York Times

"The carbon-based free lunch is over," said John W. Rowe, Exelon's chief executive.

The New York Times

"Eclogue IV: Winter" begins: "In winter it darkens the moment lunch is over".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

When lunch was over, Laura produced a toothbrush.

The New Yorker

After the lunch was over, Amsterdam did not sound convinced.

The New Yorker

Perle politely listened, and the lunch was over".

The New Yorker

Lunch was over, and Einstein announced that he was going to go upstairs for his nap.

The New Yorker

When the lunch was over, Mr. Shelby returned to the Capitol, as did Mr. Pence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "lunch is over" with a call to action. For example, "Lunch is over, let's get back to work."

Common error

Avoid using "lunch is over" in contexts where a gentler approach is needed. For example, instead of abruptly announcing "lunch is over" at a social gathering, consider saying, "It's been lovely chatting, but I should probably head out."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lunch is over" functions as a declarative statement indicating the termination of a lunch period. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show it in a variety of contexts, signalling a return to work or other activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lunch is over" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for indicating the end of a lunch break and the resumption of other activities. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, remember that its tone is generally neutral, leaning toward informal, making it suitable for a range of settings. For more formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "the lunch period has ended". In general, consider the audience when using the phrase and adapt accordingly. If you need to be more gentle, or friendly, use different words to convey the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lunch break is finished

Replaces 'over' with 'finished', focusing on the break period ending.

lunchtime is done

Substitutes 'lunch' with 'lunchtime' and 'over' with 'done', emphasizing the duration.

the lunch period has ended

More formal, using 'period' instead of 'lunch' and 'ended' instead of 'over'.

time for lunch is up

Focuses on the 'time' aspect, indicating that the allotted time for lunch has expired.

lunch is concluded

A more formal synonym, using 'concluded' to denote the end of lunch.

break time's over

Broadens the scope to any kind of break, not specifically lunch.

we're done with lunch

Informal and conversational, indicating completion of the meal.

back to work; lunch is done

Contextualizes the end of lunch with a return to work, using 'done' for 'over'.

lunch hour has passed

Focuses on the 'hour' aspect, indicating that the allotted hour for lunch has expired.

end of lunch

A short concise alternative to indicate conclusion of lunch

FAQs

How can I use "lunch is over" in a sentence?

You can use "lunch is over" to signal the end of a lunch break and the resumption of activities. For example: "The manager announced that "lunch is over", and everyone should return to their desks."

What's a less formal way to say "lunch is over"?

Instead of "lunch is over", you could say "lunchtime is done" or "we're done with lunch" for a more relaxed tone.

Is it appropriate to use "lunch is over" in a formal setting?

Yes, "lunch is over" is generally acceptable in formal settings like workplaces or schools. However, in very formal situations, you might opt for "the lunch period has ended".

What can I say instead of "lunch is over" when addressing children?

When addressing children, you might use phrases like "time for lunch is up" or "all done with lunch, let's go!" for a friendlier approach.