table the questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "table the questions" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a meeting or discussion context to suggest postponing the discussion of certain questions or topics to a later time. Example: "Let's table the questions for now and focus on the main agenda items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The chairman of the commons public administration select committee declined to comment on whether he was seeking to table the question.

The Guardian

This takes off the table the question of whether the candidate should have stalked out and risen to challenge the thunderous orator, assuming no other parishioner comes forward and suddenly remembers that Obama was indeed there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clearly nervous about what M.R.P.'s plan would entail, five of the seven council members, including Jyl Lutes, voted to table the question for six weeks, to let the incoming council deal with it.

The New Yorker

"Before the incident with Richard we were already discussing here, around the table, the question of whether we should organise a weekend of games without any parents because some of the parents are crazy," Mueller says.

The Guardian - Sport

Shared passions act as hubs of unification bridging stereotypes and bringing to the table the question of segregation's absurdity.

Vice

"I'd put all of it on the table -- the question of where the centers are and how to make the dollars stretch," said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, a senior Democrat on the Senate committee that oversees NASA.

Los Angeles Times

You have tabled the questions, a great many questions and the right ones, in my view.

EU Parlament

Table 5 The questions provided to the subjects in each situation   Question 20 min How many students worked on exercise ex7?

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

It wasn't long before someone at the table referenced the questions that have been raised concerning the film's fidelity to the historical record.

Huffington Post

And, they make great conversation starters: write a different idea on each, from new goals to resolutions to favorite moments of the previous year, and have everyone around the table answer the questions.

Huffington Post

The interview guide comprised 15 questions (Table 1); the questions were asked in the order listed for each respondent.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "table the questions" in formal meeting settings when you want to postpone discussion to a later time. Ensure the context clearly indicates that the questions are not being permanently dismissed, but rather delayed for practical reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "table the questions" if your intention is to completely dismiss or ignore the questions. This phrase implies a temporary postponement, not a permanent rejection. Use language that clearly indicates dismissal if that is your true intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "table the questions" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate the postponement of a discussion or consideration of certain questions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase serves as a procedural action in meetings and formal discussions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "table the questions" is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to postpone the discussion of certain questions to a later time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While examples are somewhat limited, the phrase appears in both News & Media and Scientific contexts, typically in formal settings. Alternatives include "postpone the questions" and "defer the questions". When using this phrase, ensure the context indicates a temporary delay rather than a permanent dismissal. The phrase's usage suggests a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional meetings and procedural discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the questions

This alternative uses a more direct verb to indicate delaying the questions. It's a straightforward substitute.

defer the questions

Similar to "postpone", this suggests putting off the questions for a later time, often implying a formal setting.

put the questions on hold

This phrase implies temporarily suspending the questions, suggesting they might be revisited soon.

shelve the questions

Suggests the questions are being put aside, potentially indefinitely, but could be retrieved later.

hold off on the questions

This option indicates a temporary delay in addressing the questions, implying a need to wait for a more suitable time.

suspend discussion of the questions

More formal, emphasizing the interruption of a conversation on the matter.

delay addressing the questions

Emphasizes the act of postponing the response or discussion related to the questions.

park the questions for now

Informal, suggesting the questions are being set aside temporarily for later consideration.

leave the questions for later

A simple and direct way to indicate that the questions will not be addressed at the present time.

set aside the questions

Indicates that the questions are being put aside to focus on other matters.

FAQs

What does it mean to "table the questions"?

To "table the questions" means to postpone discussing them until a later time. It's a way to delay a discussion without dismissing it entirely.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "table the questions"?

It's appropriate in formal settings like meetings or debates when time is limited or when other issues need to be addressed first. It suggests the questions are important but cannot be addressed immediately.

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

You can use alternatives like "postpone the questions", "defer the questions", or "put the questions on hold" depending on the context.

Is "table the questions" the same as rejecting the questions?

No, "table the questions" implies a temporary delay, while rejecting the questions means dismissing them entirely. Tabling suggests the questions may be revisited later, whereas rejection indicates they will not be considered further.