Let's table this for now 🍽️➡️⏳
Meaning
Let's postpone discussing or dealing with something until a later time.
Origin
Picture yourself in the hushed halls of the U.S. Senate over a century ago. Bills proposed during a session weren't just debated; they were placed on a literal table to await further discussion or action. If a bill was deemed too contentious, too complex, or simply not ready for a vote, it was 'laid on the table' – essentially meaning it was set aside. This practice evolved, and the phrase shifted from a physical act to a metaphorical one, becoming the common way we now suggest deferring a topic in meetings or conversations, preserving the idea of setting something aside for future consideration.
Let's table this for now represented with emoji🍽️➡️⏳
This playful sequence functions as a whimsical reminder that even the most urgent discussions can be gracefully set aside with a simple gesture. Note how the dinner plate, a symbol of immediate engagement, transforms into the hourglass, underscoring the fleeting nature of time and the wisdom of choosing a more opportune moment.
Examples
- We've discussed the budget for an hour, so let's table this for now and revisit it tomorrow.
- The team is clearly divided on this idea; let's table this for now and gather more opinions.
- This debate about whether squirrels secretly run the stock market is fascinating, but let's table this for now until we have more acorns of evidence.
- The mystery of the disappearing socks from the laundry is a pressing issue, but alas, let's table this for now to discuss the immediate crisis of who ate the last cookie.
Frequently asked questions
In American English, 'let's table this for now' means to set aside a topic for later discussion. Ironically, in British English, 'to table' a motion usually means to propose it for discussion, which is the opposite meaning.
Yes, 'let's table this for now' is considered an idiom because its meaning is not deducible from the literal meanings of its individual words. It's a figurative expression used to suggest postponement.
The opposite of 'let's table this for now' would be phrases that encourage immediate discussion or action, such as 'Let's address this now,' 'Let's tackle this head-on,' or 'Let's discuss this at length.'
Yes, 'let's table this for now' is commonly used in formal business and meeting settings to respectfully defer a topic. Its usage is well-understood in most professional environments, especially in the US.