take off the table

USAGE SUMMARY

"take off the table" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to remove something from consideration or discussion. Example: "We need to take that proposal off the table and come up with a different solution." This means that the proposal is no longer being considered and a new idea or solution needs to be discussed. Another example: "Let's take the option of selling the house off the table for now and focus on other ways to raise funds." This means that the idea of selling the house is being eliminated from discussion for the time being.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Peter Mandaville, a former senior adviser in the State Department, told VICE News that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would "take off the table the idea that the U.S. is an honest broker in the eyes of the Palestinians and the Arab world".

Vice

I don't want to take off the table an option... to secure our country.

The Guardian

He said while Obama would not take off the table the possible use of force against Iran, he believed it was necessary first to exhaust diplomacy.

The Guardian

Later, on CNN's "Late Edition," Mr. Lieberman said, "There is very little you take off the table if you want to be an honest public official".

The New York Times

"If you take off the table the two major entitlement programs, you can't possibly address the budget problems in a sensible way," he said.

The Washington Post

Ms McEntee told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: "It seems more and more difficult the more proposals or options you take off the table.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Democrats wanted the nuclear option taken off the table.

The Washington Post

In the final agreement, most of the cuts to services were taken off the table.

The New York Times

"We need to get the punitive measures taken off the table".

The New York Times

That deal was "taken off the table" on 6 March.

BBC

Heaven forbid options get definitively taken off the table.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take off the table" when you want to clearly indicate that a proposal, option, or idea is no longer being considered. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "take off the table" when you only intend to temporarily pause consideration. For temporary suspensions, consider using "set aside" or "shelve" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take off the table" functions as an idiomatic expression, used to indicate the removal of something from consideration. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, ranging from political negotiations to business decisions. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take off the table" is a very common and correct idiomatic phrase used to indicate that something is no longer being considered. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and more general discussions. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences, and while many alternatives exist, understanding the subtle nuances of each is key to choosing the most appropriate replacement. When using this phrase, make sure you want to clearly eliminate an option, proposal, or idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove from consideration

More formal and direct, focusing on the act of removing something from consideration.

eliminate from discussion

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the removal from a debate or conversation.

rule out

A shorter and more common way to say that something is no longer a possibility.

dismiss from consideration

Suggests a more decisive rejection of an idea or proposal.

set aside

Implies a temporary removal, often with the possibility of revisiting the idea later.

shelve

Suggests putting something on hold, often indefinitely.

drop the idea

A more informal way to suggest abandoning a plan or suggestion.

abandon the plan

Directly implies giving up on a specific plan or course of action.

cease to consider

A more formal and emphatic way of saying that something is no longer being considered.

reject the option

Focuses on the act of refusing a particular choice or possibility.

FAQs

What does "take off the table" mean?

The phrase "take off the table" means to remove something, such as an idea, proposal, or option, from consideration or discussion. It signifies that it's no longer being considered as a viable choice.

How can I use "take off the table" in a sentence?

You can use "take off the table" in a sentence like this: "After careful consideration, we decided to "remove from consideration" the proposal to relocate the office."

What's the difference between "take off the table" and "table" a motion?

"Take off the table" means to remove something from consideration, while "table" a motion (in parliamentary procedure) means to postpone discussion on it. They have opposite meanings.

What are some alternatives to "take off the table"?

Some alternatives to "take off the table" include "eliminate from discussion", "rule out", or "dismiss from consideration" depending on the specific context.