table a topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "table a topic" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal discussions or meetings to indicate that a topic will be postponed or set aside for later consideration. Example: "During the meeting, we decided to table the topic of budget cuts until next week when more information is available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are other factors, like whether the proximate people all think alike or bring a lively diversity of ideas and perspectives to the table (a topic for another time).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If the individual page is further deep into the site, the table cell for a topic will have below it a table listing that topic subtopics, in a limitedly recursive fashion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On the day the rice and beans simmered on the kitchen stove, the discussion around the dining room table turned to a topic that has continued to fascinate Ms. Santiago and Mr. Cantor over the years.

The New York Times

Now you have changed the dynamic because: There is a new topic on the table It's a topic you can (probably) both relate to You've done your job as a good listener by allowing your friend her time and space to share her news and you've done your job as a small talker by offering a peek into your own life.

Huffington Post

The FGDs were conducted by the first author and a research assistant in the local language (for demographic details see Table 1): We developed a topic list jointly with our local team members and key informants.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Each of the 27 tables has been assigned a topic, and an expert will patiently answer questions from the underinformed and the overly inquisitive.

The New York Times

When Langan's fellow Jesuits gather Thursday for an annual post-Easter dinner at Georgetown, a topic of table chat will be transition.

The Washington Post

Conservative election campaign manager Lynton Crosby is a known advocate of such a "dead cat" strategy - the idea of "throwing a dead cat on the table" to distract people from a topic you wish they would stop discussing.

Independent

A topic guide (Table 1) was developed based on analysis of test-impact forms and piloted before use.

BMC Infectious Diseases

She used a topic guide (Table  1) to ensure coverage of key issues identified in the literature, but adopted a conversational style.

BMC Health Services Research

While a topic guide (Table  3) was used to elicit views and experiences of service delivery and the long-term conditions, interviews followed a conversational style [ 31].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "table a topic" in formal settings like meetings or debates when you want to postpone a discussion without completely dismissing it.

Common error

Avoid using "table a topic" when you mean to introduce a topic for discussion. "Table" in this context means to postpone, not to present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "table a topic" functions as a procedural idiom within formal communication. It serves to indicate the act of postponing or setting aside a matter for future discussion, aligning with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "table a topic" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the postponement of a discussion, as validated by Ludwig. While relatively rare, it's primarily found in news media, academic, and science-related contexts, reflecting its formal nature. It's crucial to avoid confusing it with introducing a topic. Alternatives like "postpone the discussion" or "defer consideration" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Mastering its correct usage enhances clarity in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the discussion

This alternative suggests a temporary delay in addressing the topic.

defer consideration

This phrase implies delaying a decision or review of the topic.

shelve the matter

This suggests putting the topic aside, possibly indefinitely.

hold off on the subject

This indicates a temporary pause in addressing the topic.

put the item on hold

This suggests pausing discussion or action on the specific item.

suspend the issue

This implies a temporary cessation of addressing the issue.

delay the matter

This suggests a postponement in dealing with the issue.

set aside for later

This phrase means the topic will be addressed at a future time.

park the discussion

This is an informal way of saying to postpone the discussion.

mothball the project

This suggests putting a project on hold indefinitely.

FAQs

What does "table a topic" mean in a formal meeting?

In formal contexts, to "table a topic" means to postpone discussing it until a later time. It's a way of setting something aside without necessarily rejecting it.

What can I say instead of "table a topic"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone the discussion", "defer consideration", or "shelve the matter" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "table a topic" when introducing a new subject?

No, using "table a topic" to introduce a new subject is incorrect. The phrase specifically means to postpone or delay discussion on an existing topic.

When is it appropriate to "table a topic" in a meeting?

It's appropriate to "table a topic" when the current discussion is unproductive, more information is needed, or there isn't enough time to properly address the issue.