talking over lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talking over lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conversation or discussion that takes place during a lunch meal. Example: "We spent the afternoon talking over lunch about our plans for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I don't know who they are anymore," he said, talking over lunch at a restaurant in Louisville on Monday, on the eve of his departure for Dallas.

The New York Times

NOT long ago, a genial, soft-spoken museum curator, who will remain anonymous for obvious reasons, was talking over lunch about the National Museum in Nairobi.

The New York Times - Arts

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the 83-year-old science fiction writer, is sitting in his wheelchair, where he spends most of his time these days, talking over lunch about his latest venture.

Forbes

While we were talking over lunch my younger brother said something that shocked me.

Huffington Post

Two women talking over lunch suggests that he is watching the television station Lifetime, two elderly people out walking reminds him of CBS, a group of African Americans playing basketball suggests UPN, and James Woods High School reminds him of Beverly Hills, 90210.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The two, whose friendship has continued, spend weekends playing basketball and video games, and talking over lunches at McDonald's.

The New York Times

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talking over lunch" when you want to emphasize a casual conversation taking place during a meal. It's suitable for describing informal discussions in both personal and professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "talking over lunch" in highly formal contexts, such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more formal alternatives like "discussing during lunch" or "lunch meeting" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talking over lunch" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating an action (talking) that occurs during a specific event (lunch). According to Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate in a variety of contexts to describe informal conversations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "talking over lunch" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a casual conversation during a meal. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most common in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal tone. While perfectly acceptable, it might not be suitable for highly formal situations, where alternatives like "discussing during lunch" or "lunch meeting" might be more appropriate. Ludwig also suggests avoiding this phrase when more emphasis is needed on deliberation or the discussion of important issues. The phrase is overall versatile for describing informal lunchtime conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussing during lunch

Focuses more on the act of discussion rather than general conversation.

chatting at lunch

Implies a more casual and informal conversation.

conversing during lunchtime

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the time of day.

having a conversation over lunch

More verbose but explicitly states the type of interaction.

lunchtime discussion

Focuses on the discussion itself, omitting the 'talking' action.

discussing matters during lunch

Adds a layer of formality and suggests discussing important issues.

deliberating while having lunch

More formal and suggests careful and thorough discussion.

sharing thoughts during lunch

Emphasizes the sharing of ideas and opinions.

exchanging ideas at lunch

Focuses on the reciprocal exchange of ideas.

lunch meeting

Implies a scheduled and possibly formal discussion during lunch.

FAQs

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

You can use "talking over lunch" to describe a casual conversation during a meal, such as, "We were "talking over lunch" about the new project."

What's a good alternative to "talking over lunch"?

Alternatives include "discussing during lunch", "chatting at lunch", or "lunch meeting", depending on the context and formality you want to convey.

Is "talking over lunch" appropriate for professional settings?

It can be appropriate for informal professional settings. However, for more formal situations, consider alternatives like "discussing during lunch" or "lunch meeting".

What is the difference between "talking over lunch" and "having a lunch meeting"?

"Talking over lunch" suggests a casual conversation, while "having a lunch meeting" implies a more structured and purposeful discussion.