Table the motion 🗂️⏳

Meaning

To postpone discussion or decision on a proposal or suggestion.

Origin

The origins of 'table a motion' are surprisingly debated, but the most compelling story traces back to the British Parliament. Here, 'to table' originally meant 'to lay on the table for discussion.' However, in the United States, particularly within legislative contexts, the meaning flipped. American parliamentary procedure, influenced by British tradition but developing its own nuances, adopted 'to table' to mean exactly the opposite: to set aside, usually indefinitely, effectively killing the motion. Think of it as placing discussion on a shelf, out of immediate reach, for now.

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Table the motion represented with emoji🗂️⏳

This playful pairing of a file folder and an hourglass invites us to consider the delightful dance between organization and the inevitable passage of time. It functions as a whimsical reminder that even the most structured plans may need to be set aside, at least for a moment, as the sands of tempo continue to trickle by. Note how the familiar symbols evoke a gentle nudge to embrace the ebb and flow of our own busy schedules.

Examples

  • The committee decided to table the motion for further review and discussion next week.
  • Due to a lack of consensus, the club will table the motion regarding new membership dues.
  • We shall table the motion to re-decorate the office, lest we accidentally paint the ceiling a shade of questionable lime.
  • The village council chose to table the motion to install a giant disco ball in the town square, as it might distract the local squirrels.

Frequently asked questions

What's the opposite of 'table the motion'?

The opposite of 'table the motion' is to 'bring the motion to a vote' or 'call the question'. While 'tabling' postpones a decision, these actions move towards a resolution.

Can 'table the motion' be used in informal settings, or is it strictly parliamentary?

'Table the motion' can easily be used informally to mean postponing a discussion or decision. It's a common idiom that has moved beyond its parliamentary origins into everyday language.

Does 'table the motion' mean to discuss it or to postpone it?

In American English, 'table the motion' means to postpone discussion or decision, effectively setting it aside. However, in British English, it can mean the opposite, to bring a motion forward for discussion.

Similar to "table the motion"

Put it on the back burner
Both phrases mean to delay something, but 'put it on the back burner' has a cozier, more domestic feel, suggesting quiet neglect rather than a formal parliamentary postponement
Shelve the proposal
This shares the sense of deferral with 'table the motion,' but 'shelve' evokes a more permanent sense of putting something away, like a book on a high shelf, implying it might not be revisited soon, if ever
Kick the can down the road
Both involve delaying a decision, but 'kick the can down the road' carries a distinctly cynical implication that the problem is being avoided and will likely resurface, often with more urgency

Opposite of "table the motion"

Bring it to a vote
This argues for immediate resolution, contrasting with 'table the motion' by demanding a decision be made now, not deferred for later discussion
Address the issue head-on
This champions direct confrontation and action, standing in stark opposition to the evasive nature of 'table the motion' by insisting on tackling problems immediately and decisively

Related to "table the motion"

Call for a point of order
This phrase often precedes or interrupts the very discussions that might lead to a motion being tabled, highlighting the procedural dance of parliamentary debate where 'tabling' is a specific maneuver
Table of contents
This shares the root 'table' but refers to an organizational structure rather than a procedural action, showcasing how the word evolved from a surface or list to a formal delay tactic
Lay out the facts
While 'table the motion' is about delaying a decision, 'lay out the facts' is about providing the necessary groundwork for one, representing the information-gathering stage that often precedes any motion
Filibuster
Both 'filibuster' and 'table the motion' are tactics used in deliberative bodies to obstruct or delay, though a filibuster is a prolonged speech aimed at preventing a vote, whereas tabling is a more direct procedural stop