Say it like this
- We're hosting a lunch and learn next week on Docker
- Who wants to give a lunch and learn about that new framework?
- I learned about Kubernetes at our last lunch and learn
Use it at work
Inviting
- Join our lunch and learn on accessibility this Thursday.
- Lunch is provided at the lunch and learn.
Volunteering
- Can I run a lunch and learn on testing?
- Would you do a lunch and learn on the new framework?
Afterward
- The lunch and learn slides are on the wiki.
- Great lunch and learn today. Thanks!
Don't say this
Lunch and learn is not a verb meaning to review or debug. It is a noun referring to a structured learning event.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| lunch and learn | Learning session at lunch, food often provided | Employees | Lunchtime |
| brown bag | Same idea, bring your own lunch | Employees | Lunchtime |
| tech talk | Technical presentation | Engineers | Any time |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You want to tell a colleague about an upcoming learning event at work. Which sounds most natural?
2. I learned about the new testing framework at yesterday's _______ on continuous integration.
3. Which sentence uses lunch and learn incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this sentence using lunch and learn: The company organized an informal midday event where an engineer taught the team about new database technologies while everyone ate.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We're hosting a lunch and learn next week on Docker"
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More about lunch and learn
Real examples(3)
- in a team message
"Just a reminder that we have a lunch and learn today at noon about cloud security best practices."
- in a meeting
"Sarah is organizing a lunch and learn next month where she will share her experience with machine learning in production."
- in an email
"If anyone is interested in presenting a lunch and learn, please let me know and we can find a time slot."
More mistakes(1)
Handle with care. Do not use as a verb meaning to quickly review or debug code. It specifically refers to a structured learning event, not an informal code check.
- ✕I lunch and learned React yesterday.✓I attended a lunch and learn about React yesterday.
Do not use lunch and learn as a verb. Use attend or participate in a lunch and learn instead.
Other forms(2)
- lunch and learn noun
"The lunch and learn was very informative and well attended."
- a lunch and learn on/about [topic] noun phrase
"We had a lunch and learn about microservices last week."
Often used with(4)
- host a lunch and learn · to organize and run a lunch and learn session
- attend a lunch and learn · to participate in a lunch and learn
- give a lunch and learn · to present or speak at a lunch and learn
- lunch and learn on [topic] · a lunch and learn focused on a specific subject
Similar words(3)
- brown bag session · similar casual learning event, more commonly used in US companies
- tech talk · often longer and more formal than a lunch and learn
- knowledge sharing session · broader term that may or may not involve food or lunch
Opposites(2)
- formal training
- conference presentation
Questions(4)
- What does lunch and learn mean in tech companies?
- A lunch and learn is an informal educational event where team members gather during lunch to learn from a colleague or expert presenter. The company typically provides food, and attendance is voluntary. The session usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour and covers technical or professional topics relevant to the team.
- How do you use lunch and learn in a sentence?
- Use lunch and learn as a noun, not a verb. Say attend a lunch and learn, host a lunch and learn, or give a lunch and learn. Example: We hosted a lunch and learn about cloud architecture last month. Do not say we lunch and learned something.
- Is lunch and learn formal or informal?
- Lunch and learn is casual and informal in nature, though it is a legitimate workplace learning activity. The term itself is informal and commonly used in tech company culture. It is less formal than a conference presentation or official training program.
- What topics are common for lunch and learns?
- Common topics include new programming languages, frameworks, tools, debugging techniques, cloud platforms, career development, soft skills, and industry best practices. Any topic that would benefit the team is appropriate for a lunch and learn.
