table the discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "table the discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a formal context, such as meetings or discussions, to suggest postponing or setting aside a topic for later consideration. Example: "Due to time constraints, we will need to table the discussion on budget allocations until our next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

During the party, at the dinner table, the discussion turns to monks who sleep in coffins "to remind them of their last end", as it's explained to the Protestant Mr Browne.

The Guardian - Film

Pinckney and King tried to pass a motion to table the discussion, but that failed, and the matter went to a vote on the question, "Shall the executive be removable on impeachments?" Every state delegation except those of South Carolina and Massachusetts voted "aye".

The New Yorker

Draper agreed to table the discussion for now, but had no intention of letting it go.

TechCrunch

As the two sides return to the bargaining table the discussion should first embrace what the country needs and how they can, together, achieve that.

Huffington Post

When women are at the table, the discussion is richer, the decision-making process is better, management is more innovative and collaborative, and the organization is stronger.

HuffPost

The City Council had been scheduled to review the possible smoking restrictions Tuesday night at City Hall, but city spokesman Tom Lorenz said the city manager's office decided to table the discussion for 30 days to give officials more time to respond to public inquiries and feedback.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I happen to know that Dorfman would pay a lot to have someone listen to him sing 'Don't Stop Believing.' " I tabled the discussion.

The New York Times

We both tend to debate things at length when they involve permanent or semi-permanent decisions and we kept tabling the discussion because other important things like work and making out with each other required attention.

Vice

Former senator Jim DeMint "set the table" for the discussion, according to Moffatt, who said that Glenn Beck was also "very productive" during the 90-minute meeting.

The Guardian - Tech

This is indicated by the Miyata distances in the tables, and the discussion section on permitted amino acids.

Biology Direct

Mr. Fedorenko said, however, that disarmament was the only issue on the table at the discussions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "table the discussion" when you want to formally suggest postponing a topic for consideration at a later time, often in meetings or structured discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "table the discussion" if you intend to bring the topic up immediately or very soon after. The phrase implies a more significant delay than a brief pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "table the discussion" functions as an idiomatic expression used to propose the postponement of a discussion to a later time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a recognized phrase with a specific meaning related to delaying or shelving a topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "table the discussion" is an idiomatic expression used to suggest the postponement of a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options like "postpone the discussion" or "defer the discussion". Remember, using this phrase implies a delay, not an immediate continuation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the discussion

This alternative directly replaces "table" with "postpone", indicating a delay in the discussion.

defer the discussion

This alternative uses "defer" instead of "table", suggesting a more formal postponement.

delay the discussion

This alternative is a straightforward substitution of "table" with "delay", indicating a postponement.

suspend the discussion

This alternative uses "suspend" which implies a temporary halt to the discussion.

put off the discussion

This alternative uses the phrasal verb "put off" to indicate a postponement to a later time.

shelve the discussion

This alternative uses "shelve", implying the discussion is put aside, possibly indefinitely.

hold off on the discussion

This alternative uses "hold off on", suggesting a temporary delay before starting the discussion.

set aside the discussion

This alternative uses "set aside", indicating the discussion is being kept separate for a later time.

adjourn the discussion

This alternative uses "adjourn", which suggests a formal break or postponement of the discussion.

park the discussion

This alternative uses "park", suggesting the discussion is temporarily set aside.

FAQs

What does "table the discussion" mean?

To "table the discussion" means to postpone or defer it to a later time. It's a common idiom used in meetings and formal settings.

When is it appropriate to use "table the discussion"?

Use "table the discussion" when you want to formally suggest putting off a topic until a later meeting or discussion, typically due to time constraints or the need for more information.

What can I say instead of "table the discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone the discussion", "defer the discussion", or "suspend the discussion" depending on the context.

Is "table the discussion" formal or informal?

While usable in various contexts, "table the discussion" is generally considered more formal and is often used in professional or structured settings.