table (redirected from laying on the table)

boxed on the table

Sl. died on the (operating) table. (Medical.) The surgeon did the best job possible, but the patient boxed on the table. Another patient boxed on the table. That's three this month.

See also: box

clear the table

to remove the dishes and other eating utensils from the table after a meal. (Compare this with set the table.) Will you please help clear the table? After you clear the table, we'll play cards.

See also: clear

coffee-table book

a book that is more suitable for display than for reading, typically, an oversize, illustrated book left on the coffee table for visitors to examine. This book is more of a coffee-table book than an art book. I prefer something more scholarly. We purchased a coffee-table book for Jan's birthday.

See also: book

drink someone under the table

Fig. to be able to drink more alcohol than someone else. I bet I can drink you under the table.

See also: drink

get someone around the table

Fig. to collect people together for discussion or bargaining. We have to get every one around the table on this matter. If I can get them around the table, I'm sure I can make them agree.

See also: around, get

lay one's cards on the table and put one's cards on the table

Fig. to be very candid about one's position on some issue. (Alludes to laying playing cards on the table, face up, showing the cards.) All right. Let's lay our cards on the table and speak very candidly about this matter. It's time we put our cards on the table and spoke honestly. lay one's hands on someone, something, or an animal Go to put one's hands on someone, something, or an animal. lay (oneself) down to lie down. Just lay yourself down there and try to sleep. I'll lay myself down here for just a few minutes.

See also: card, lay

on the table

Fig. subject to discussion by the group; submitted as a point of discussion. The chairman said we could not discuss salaries since the topic was no longer on the table.

set the table

to place plates, glasses, napkins, etc., on the table before a meal. (The opposite of clear the table.) Jane, would you please set the table? Fm tired of setting the table. Ask someone else to do it.

See also: set

table a motion

to postpone the discussion of something during a meeting. Mary suggested that they should table the motion. The motion for a new policy was tabled until the next meeting.

See also: motion

turn the tables (on someone)

Fig. to cause a reversal in someone's plans; to make one's plans turn back on one. I went to Jane's house to help get ready for a surprise party for Bob. It turned out that the surprise party was for me! Jane really turned the tables on me! Turning the tables like that requires a lot of planning and a lot of secrecy.

See also: turn

under the table 

1. Sl. intoxicated. Jed was under the table by midnight. By 3:00 in the morning, everyone was under the table.

2. Fig. secret; clandestine. (This is hyphenated before a nominal.) It was strictly an under-the-table deal. The mayor made a few bucks under the table, too.

wait (on) tables

Fig. to serve food and tend diners, as at a restaurant. I waited on tables for years to pay my college tuition.

See also: wait

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a coffee table book

a large, expensive book with a lot of pictures, that is often kept on a table for people to look at A glossy coffee table book of his art work will be published next year.

See Wake up and smell the coffee!

See also: book, coffee

bring somebody to the [bargaining/peace etc.] table

to persuade a person or a country to join discussions in order to find a solution to a problem We hope to be able to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table to try to end this conflict.

See also: bring

drink somebody under the table  (informal)

if you can drink someone under the table, you can drink a lot more alcohol than they can I like a few beers but Mel can drink me under the table.

See drive to drink, can't hold drink

See also: drink

get your feet under the table  (British)

to become familiar with and confident in a new job or situation It's better to wait until you've got your feet firmly under the table before you make any big changes.

See also: feet, get

lay/put your cards on the table

to tell someone honestly what you think or what you plan to do I'll put my cards on the table: I don't like the way you've been behaving. She thought it was time to put her cards on the table and tell him that she had no intention of marrying him.

See also: card, lay

on the table 

1. if a plan or offer is on the table, it has been officially suggested and is now being discussed or thought about The offer on the table is an 8% increase on last year's wages. At 6 p.m. on Thursday 29 April, a new deal was put on the table.

2. (American) if a plan is on the table, no one is dealing with it at present but it has not been completely forgotten The committee agreed to leave the option to build a stadium in the city on the table.

turn the tables on somebody

to change a situation so that you now have an advantage over someone who previously had an advantage over you She turned the tables on her rival with allegations of corruption.

See also: turn

under the table  (American & Australian)

money that is paid under the table is paid secretly, usually because it is illegal A lot of these people work 80-hour weeks with all or half of their salaries paid under the table. (American)

See bring to the [bargaining etc.] table, drink under the table

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bring something to the table

to provide something that will be a benefit Our partners brought useful skills to the table. You have to bring definite suggestions to the table.

See also: bring

come to the table

to meet to discuss how to solve a problem or end a disagreement Carlson urged them to come to the table to resolve the issue.

Usage notes: also used in the form come back to the table (to continue discussions that had stopped): The strikers decided to come back to the table.

See also: come

on the table

being discussed or considered I'd like to put another idea on the table to see what you think.

put (all) your cards on the table also lay your cards on the table

to truthfully explain what you know or think I could only put my cards on the table and say I don't know what happened to this child.

Etymology: based on the idea of showing other players your cards in a card game

See also: card, put

set the table

to put dishes, knives, forks, and spoons on a table before a meal You make the salad and I'll set the table.

See also: set

turn the tables (on somebody/something)

to change a situation so that someone's position is the opposite of what it was She turned the tables by playing a better game and recently has won most of her matches. Hendricks turned the tables on the media when he borrowed a camera from a TV crew and started filming. Dan was always the one in trouble, but now the tables are turned and he's doing very well.

See also: turn

under the table

secretly and often illegally A lot of these people work 80 hours a week, and they are paid under the table.

wait (on) tables

to serve meals to people in a restaurant She earned the money for college by waiting tables.

See also: wait