Search
off the table
01
(of a proposal, topic, or offer) unavailable or incapable of being considered
What is the origin of the idiom "off the table" and when to use it?
The idiom "off the table" is used to indicate that a particular option, plan, or proposal has been eliminated, excluded, or is no longer under consideration. While its exact origin is not documented, it likely stems from the idea of removing something from the table during a discussion, emphasizing that it is no longer on the list of possibilities.
Example
The cat knocked the vase off the table.
She whisked the dust off the table with a feather duster.
He knocked the glass off the table accidentally.
After hours of negotiation, the idea of a pay raise was off the table for the foreseeable future.
The cat unintentionally knocked the vase off the table while chasing a fly.
Nearby Words