working lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working lunch" is correctly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a meeting between colleagues or business partners that also involves a meal, for instance: "We had a working lunch to discuss the budget for the upcoming fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So this is a working lunch".

The New Yorker

2. Avoid Bill; schedule a working lunch with Hillary.

The New York Times - Magazine

Poland's junior justice minister, Andrzej Duda, reopened the argument at a working lunch.

The Economist

Their hourlong working lunch focused on economic issues, like commerce on the Internet, and infectious diseases.

The New York Times

No new agreements were announced after Oval Office negotiations and a working lunch.

The New York Times

On Friday, she has scheduled a working lunch in Paris with the new Tunisian foreign minister, Ahmed Ounaïes.

The New York Times

Mr. Kerry and Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, held a working lunch earlier on the chemical weapons issue.

The New York Times

She spoke at a news conference at the United Nations, after a working lunch with representatives of the European Union.

The New York Times

When it comes to a working lunch in Beijing, you can't beat the baozi, or Chinese steamed bun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Obama and Turnbull were scheduled to spend almost two hours together at the White House meeting and working lunch.

The Guardian

The most restrictive are the HM Revenue & Customs and DFID, the latter in effect banning anything beyond a working lunch.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working lunch" when you want to emphasize that the lunch is also a meeting or a time for work-related discussions. Be sure to set a clear agenda for the "working lunch" to ensure productivity.

Common error

Avoid using "working lunch" if the primary purpose is socializing rather than conducting business or having a structured discussion. It's not simply eating together; it’s about combining a meal with work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working lunch" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms that it's correctly used to describe a meeting that combines a meal with work-related discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "working lunch" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a meeting or business discussion held during lunchtime, where participants eat while they work. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Alternatives such as "business lunch" or "lunch meeting" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. To maximize productivity during a "working lunch", it is important to set a clear agenda. The primary purpose of the event should be work; otherwise, it should not be described as a "working lunch".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business lunch

Focuses more on the business aspect of the lunch meeting.

lunch meeting

A more generic term for a meeting held during lunchtime.

mealtime meeting

Highlights that the meeting takes place during a meal.

strategy lunch

Emphasizes the strategic nature of the discussion during lunch.

working meal

Broader term that can apply to any meal, not just lunch.

power lunch

Implies a high-stakes business meeting during lunch.

lunchtime conference

Highlights the conference aspect during lunchtime.

executive lunch

Focuses on high-level executives having lunch together to work.

business luncheon

A more formal term for a business lunch.

working breakfast

Shifts the focus to a morning meeting combined with breakfast.

FAQs

What does "working lunch" mean?

A "working lunch" is a meeting or business discussion held during lunchtime, where participants eat while they work.

How do I use "working lunch" in a sentence?

You can say, "We had a "business lunch" to finalize the project proposal," or "The president held a "working lunch" with the foreign minister to discuss trade agreements."

What can I say instead of "working lunch"?

Alternatives include "business lunch", "lunch meeting", or "mealtime meeting", depending on the context.

Is "working lunch" formal or informal?

The term "working lunch" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both professional and informal settings.