talk over lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talk over lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in any situation where two or more people are discussing something informally over a meal. For example, "Let's talk over lunch about how to best handle the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I first encountered Pimco back in 1990 or 1991, when I gave a paid talk over lunch in Newport Beach.

The New York Times

James gave a talk over lunch and then gave a workshop during our research meeting to help us think about how to re-design the Civic Media workspace.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Later, the program director of Part of the Solution, John Hoffmann, recalled the talk over lunch in the days after Sept. 11.

The New York Times

As we talk over lunch, it becomes clear that Antonio genuinely doesn't feel he has been recognised for the work he has done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With that in mind, The New York Times invited the two stars to talk, over lunch in London late last month, about their lives as actors.

The New York Times

But the talk over lunch wasn't about carbon footprints or conservation.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

On Becoming Fearless: This is the book you hear business women talk about over lunches.

HuffPost

We both worked within a few blocks of each other in the Financial Disctrict, and we got to talk over lunches on open rooftops in downtown San Francisco.

Princeton University

We talked over lunch — we talked all afternoon long.

The New York Times

(We talked over lunch at Stubb's, a legendary Austin barbecue spot, and yes, he got the Porky badge).

The New York Times

As he talked over lunch, he hid his hand in various ways — behind a napkin, under the table.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talk over lunch" to suggest an informal conversation taking place during a meal, suitable for discussing ideas or catching up.

Common error

While "talk over lunch" is acceptable in many situations, refrain from using it in highly formal or business-critical communications. Opt for phrases like "discuss during lunch" or "lunch meeting" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talk over lunch" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the time and place where a conversation occurs. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, from discussing business matters to casual conversations among friends.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "talk over lunch" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a conversation that happens during a meal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its usage across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While appropriate for many contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal settings, opting for alternatives like "discuss during lunch". The phrase serves to convey an informal atmosphere conducive to conversation, making it a versatile choice for everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chat over lunch

Replaces "talk" with the more informal "chat", suggesting a lighter conversation.

discuss during lunch

Uses "discuss" to replace "talk over", implying a more structured or focused conversation.

converse at lunchtime

Replaces "talk" with "converse" and "lunch" with "lunchtime", making it slightly more formal.

have a conversation over lunch

Expands "talk over lunch" into a more explicit phrase, emphasizing the conversation aspect.

speak during a midday meal

A more formal and descriptive alternative, replacing common words with less frequent synonyms.

lunchtime discussion

A noun phrase that refers to a discussion taking place during lunch, altering the original structure.

exchange words during lunch

Emphasizes the exchange of conversation rather than the specific act of talking.

share a meal and conversation

Highlights both the meal and the conversation as equal components of the activity.

break bread and talk

Uses the idiomatic expression "break bread" to represent sharing a meal while also talking.

lunch meeting

Suggests a more formal gathering for discussion during lunch, implying a structured agenda.

FAQs

How can I use "talk over lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "talk over lunch" to describe an informal discussion during a meal, such as: "Let's "talk over lunch" about the new marketing strategy" or "We often "talk over lunch" about our weekend plans".

What's a more formal alternative to "talk over lunch"?

For a more formal setting, consider using phrases like "discuss during lunch" or "have a lunchtime meeting". These options convey a more professional tone.

Is "talk over lunch" appropriate for business correspondence?

While "talk over lunch" is acceptable for internal communications, it might be too informal for external business correspondence. Consider using "discuss during lunch" or "lunch meeting" in those cases.

What's the difference between "talk over lunch" and "lunch meeting"?

"Talk over lunch" implies a casual conversation, while "lunch meeting" suggests a more structured discussion with a specific agenda.