off the tables

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off the tables" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is no longer available for discussion, consideration, or negotiation. Example: "After the recent developments, all previous offers are now off the tables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

All done, he said, waving them off the tables.

The New York Times - Health

She cleared off the tables but left out the beer bottles.

The New York Times

The sight of the girls would make them dive off the tables and show everyone their buttocks.

The Guardian - Travel

Wax began to stream off the tables like spilled milk as the guru's followers sang, "Happy birthday, dear Guru".

The New York Times

It recycles or recovers everything it clears off the tables, at least in greater London, and about 60% in the rest of the country.

The Guardian

There is a dining car, but Guy gives almost all the Pringles' limited funds to a German-Jewish refugee who has lost his passport and ticket, so all they can afford on their last day is dinner, whipped off the tables as the wagon must be uncoupled.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Gamal is clearly off the table.

The New York Times

Tax revenues fell off the table.

The New York Times

"Nothing is being left off the table.

The New York Times

Winnick took some chips off the table.

Forbes

"I almost fell off the table, literally.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "off the tables" when you want to convey that something is completely removed from consideration or is no longer a viable option. For instance, "After the scandal, a promotion for him is completely "off the tables".

Common error

Don't use "off the tables" to suggest a temporary pause in consideration. It implies a permanent removal or cancellation. Instead, use phrases like "on hold" or "tabled" to indicate a temporary delay.

Linguistic Context

The prepositional phrase "off the tables" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is no longer available, under consideration, or a viable option. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "off the tables" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that denotes the removal of something from consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral register. To ensure accurate usage, remember that it implies a permanent removal, not just a temporary pause. Related phrases include "no longer available" and "out of consideration". When writing, be mindful of the scope, ensuring the phrase accurately reflects the finality of the removal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer available

Focuses on the unavailability of something, similar to being "off the tables".

out of consideration

Emphasizes that something is no longer being considered.

taken out of the equation

Highlights the removal of something from a situation or calculation.

removed from discussion

Specifically refers to the removal of a topic from a conversation or debate.

no longer under discussion

Indicates that a topic is not currently being discussed or considered.

taken off the agenda

Implies the formal removal of an item from a list of things to be discussed.

not up for grabs

Highlights unavailability, especially in a competitive or acquisitive context.

out of the running

Indicates that someone or something is no longer a contender or possibility.

abandoned

Focuses on total desertion or giving up on something.

discarded

Implies that something has been rejected or thrown away.

FAQs

How can I use "off the tables" in a sentence?

You can use "off the tables" to indicate that something is no longer being considered as an option. For example: "Due to budget cuts, the expansion project is now completely "off the tables".

What's a less formal alternative to "off the tables"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "out of the question", or "not going to happen". For example: "A pay raise this year is "out of the question"."

Is it correct to say "off the table" instead of "off the tables"?

While "off the table" can refer to a single item being removed from consideration, "off the tables" is often used when multiple options or possibilities are being discussed. Using "off the table" /s/in+this+case is technically correct, but "off the tables" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

What's the difference between "off the table" and "on the table"?

"On the table" means something is currently being considered or discussed. "Off the table" signifies the opposite: it's no longer an option. For instance, "All options are "on the table", including tax increases" versus "Tax increases are now "off the table".