standing lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

"standing lunch" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a lunch meeting in which attendees stand while they eat, often while they listen to a lecture or presentation. For example, "We'll be having a standing lunch during the conference to maximize time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I'd recommend a standing lunch date with Richard Cordray, the agency's first director and someone with sharp antennae for credit irregularities that can serve as early warnings for bubbles.

The New York Times

His Baby: The Environment The president and the vice president had a standing lunch date every week for the first years of the administration, broken only when one was out of town.

The New York Times

For 10 years, Siben & Siben, one of Suffolk County's larger law firms, has had a standing lunch reservation at a corner table for its cadre of criminal defense lawyers, said Andrew Siben, who added that he counsels his associates to always whisper.

The New York Times

Anecdote: For years Charlie Chaplin had a standing lunch reservation for booth 1.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(group 1, participant 3) It was better concentrating in the afternoon because you tend to get a bit dozy after lunch, so I think standing after lunch was much better.

BMC Public Health

Bring your lunch so you have more time to eat in, instead of standing in a lunch line for 15 minutes.

WikiHow

So e-commerce companies are racing to figure out the best way to accommodate tiny screens and big fingers so they don't miss out on sales to people standing in the lunch line or riding the train.

The New York Times - Tech

"I ate my lunch standing at the counter still asleep and cycled the whole way to the exchange with my body full of dreams," the narrator of "To Siberia" says.

The New Yorker

You're standing in the lunch queue at the work canteen and you see the menu; two options, one with meat, the other labelled (in big off-putting green type) Vegetarian Option.

The Guardian - Money

I remember standing in the lunch queue and a student walking up and down, loudly trying to persuade others to ask if I was gay; or listening as a teacher referred to gay children as "nancy boys", with a sideways glance at me, a professional member of staff complicit with the very people seeking to make my life miserable.

The Guardian

I was standing in the lunch line with her and a little boy turned to me, pointed at Abby and asked, "She does not know very much does she?" I had to hold back what I really wanted to say.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "standing lunch" when you want to emphasize a brief, efficient lunch meeting where attendees remain standing, such as during a conference or a quick update session.

Common error

Avoid using "standing lunch" to describe the food itself. It refers to the format of the lunch, not what is being served. For example, don't say, "The standing lunch was delicious" when you mean "The food served at the standing lunch was delicious."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "standing lunch" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes a particular type of meal arrangement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "standing lunch" is a grammatically correct noun phrase denoting a brief and efficient lunch meeting where attendees stand. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase is suitable for neutral to professional contexts, particularly in business and media. It's important to use it correctly to describe the format of the lunch, not the food itself, and to consider alternative phrases like "quick lunch" or "working lunch" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lunch while standing

Emphasizes the action of standing while eating lunch.

working lunch

Focuses on the combination of eating lunch and working simultaneously.

quick lunch

Highlights the brevity and speed of the lunch.

informal lunch meeting

Stresses the casual nature of the lunch gathering.

lunch on the go

Implies that lunch is eaten while moving or traveling.

casual luncheon

Highlights the relaxed and unceremonious aspect of the lunch.

grab and go lunch

Focuses on quickly obtaining lunch and leaving.

buffet lunch

Emphasizes the self-serve nature of the lunch arrangement.

impromptu lunch

Indicates that the lunch was unplanned or spontaneous.

elevated lunch

Highlights the fact of standing while eating

FAQs

How can I use "standing lunch" in a sentence?

You might say, "The conference will feature a "standing lunch" to maximize networking time" or "The team had a "standing lunch" to quickly discuss the project updates."

What's the difference between a "standing lunch" and a regular lunch meeting?

A "standing lunch" implies attendees remain standing rather than sitting, often indicating a shorter, more efficient meeting. It's about the format, not the meal itself, contrasting with a regular lunch meeting where attendees are seated.

Are there benefits to holding a "standing lunch"?

Yes, a "standing lunch" can encourage quicker, more focused discussions and save time compared to seated lunches. It can also promote more active participation.

What are some alternative phrases to "standing lunch"?

Alternatives include "quick lunch", "working lunch", or "informal lunch meeting", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.