Welcome to the English we speak. I'm Jain.

And I'm Rob. We have a phrase that's often used in business.

We say it when someone suggests a plan or makes an offer for other people to consider. We say the suggestion or plan is on the table.

On the table. So is this about putting something onto a table?

Possibly, yes.

That's the literal meaning, but the phrase is usually used metaphorically.

I see.

So it's about information being made available to consider, so a decision can be made?

Well not so fast jying. When something is on the table it is considered and

discussed before a decision is made. It can be negotiated. For example, if you're looking for a new job,

an employer might put a job offer on the table for you to consider. Let's hear some more examples.

The bank has put an offer to buy its rival on the table. Will they accept?

We've put a new pay offer on the table.

Let's hope the employees will accept it.

There are several issues on the table that we need. accept it.

There are several issues on the table that we need to discuss before we can make a decision.

This is the English we speak from BBC Learning English and we're looking at the phrase on the table

which means to put an idea, suggestion or plan forward for others to discuss or consider.

The phrase is used to discuss serious situations,

so you wouldn't put a suggestion to go to the cinema

on the table.

And when something is on the table it can be negotiated before a decision is made.

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