put on the table

Meaning

This expression means to offer an idea, proposal, or topic for discussion and consideration, usually during a meeting or negotiation. It implies that the suggestion is now open for everyone to review, debate, or accept.

Examples

• We need to put all our options on the table before making a final decision.

  We need to put all our options on the table before making a final decision.

• He put a very generous offer on the table, but they still turned it down.

  He put a very generous offer on the table, but they still turned it down.

• Let's put our differences on the table and try to find a compromise.

  Let's put our differences on the table and try to find a compromise.

• I'm putting a new proposal on the table to help speed up the project timeline.

  I'm putting a new proposal on the table to help speed up the project timeline.

• If we don't put something concrete on the table, they will lose interest in the deal.

  If we don't put something concrete on the table, they will lose interest in the deal.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We should put this topic to the table.

  ✓ We should put this topic on the table.

  The correct preposition to use in this idiom is 'on', not 'to'.

• ✗ He putted a new offer on the table.

  ✓ He put a new offer on the table.

  'Put' is an irregular verb; its past tense form is also 'put', never 'putted'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want them to negotiate, you need to ___ a realistic offer.

  💡 present an idea or proposal for consideration

  Show answer

  put on the table

• The management team decided to ___ a new bonus structure for the employees.

  💡 offer a proposal for discussion

  Show answer

  put on the table