nothing on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'nothing on the table' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are no tangible solutions or offers available. For example, "After hours of negotiation, there was still nothing on the table that both sides could agree on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

He leaves nothing on the table.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If there's nothing on the table, why are we sitting there?

The New York Times

There is another way people behave that tries to leave nothing on the table".

The New York Times

"We now know there is nothing on the table for all intents and purposes," Hunter said.

The New York Times - Sports

The biggest challenge they face is unemployment, yet there is nothing on the table to address this problem adequately.

The Guardian

The celebration begins, typically enough, with a meal, though nothing on the table contains any meat products.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The incident may end up doing more harm than good for everyone involved, but if nothing else it's putting on the table issues that, according to The Economist, have largely been ignored in India outside the northwestern states.

TechCrunch

"Nothing's off the table and nothing's on the table," Brown continued.

Huffington Post

But nothing is on the table".

The New York Times - Sports

There is nothing left on the table as incentive to negotiate.

The New York Times

Nothing currently on the table will turn things around in a meaningful way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing on the table" to clearly convey the absence of concrete proposals or progress in discussions, negotiations, or plans. This phrase is best suited for situations where tangible options are expected but lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing on the table" merely to express disappointment or frustration when options exist, but they are undesirable. The phrase accurately describes the absence of options, not just the rejection of the available ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing on the table" functions as a predicate nominative, describing the state of negotiations or discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates an absence of tangible solutions or proposals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nothing on the table" is a common phrase used to describe the absence of tangible proposals or options, particularly in negotiations or discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and business contexts, where it conveys a sense of impasse or lack of progress. Alternatives include "no offer available" or "no concrete plans". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the absence of options, rather than merely expressing dissatisfaction with existing ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no offer available

Focuses specifically on the lack of a presented proposal.

no options presented

Emphasizes the absence of choices or alternatives.

no proposals put forward

Highlights the lack of formal suggestions or plans.

no concrete plans

Stresses the absence of detailed arrangements or strategies.

no deal in sight

Implies that an agreement or resolution is unlikely.

no agreement reached

States that parties have failed to come to a consensus.

at a standstill

Suggests a complete halt in progress or negotiations.

deadlocked

Describes a situation where opposing sides are unable to compromise.

in a holding pattern

Indicates a temporary suspension of activity or decision-making.

no progress being made

Focuses on the lack of advancement toward a goal or solution.

FAQs

How to use "nothing on the table" in a sentence?

You can use "nothing on the table" to indicate a lack of offers, proposals, or options in a negotiation or discussion. For example, "Despite several meetings, there was still "nothing on the table" when the deadline arrived."

What can I say instead of "nothing on the table"?

Alternatives to "nothing on the table" include "no offer available", "no options presented", or "no concrete plans", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Which is correct, "nothing on the table" or "something on the table"?

Both "nothing on the table" and "something on the table" are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Nothing on the table" means there are no proposals or offers, while "something on the table" means there are proposals or offers to consider.

What's the difference between "nothing on the table" and "off the table"?

"Nothing on the table" means there are no current proposals or options being considered. "Off the table" means that something was previously considered but is now no longer an option. For example, "That idea is "off the table"."