Say it like this
- Let's table this for now and revisit it next sprint.
- I think we should table this discussion until we have more data.
- Can we table this and focus on the deployment first?
Use it at work
In meetings
- Let's table this until we have more data.
- Can we table this and come back next week?
Being careful
- In the US, "table" means postpone. In the UK, it means start discussing.
- To avoid confusion, say "let's come back to this later".
Following up
- We tabled the pricing topic last week. Let's discuss it now.
- That item was tabled at the last meeting.
Don't say this
Tabling is not the same as putting something on a table for discussion. It means setting it aside temporarily.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| table it (US) | Postpone it | Americans | Meetings |
| table it (UK) | Bring it up to discuss | British people | Meetings |
| parking lot | List of later topics | Facilitator | Meetings |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your team is debating the best testing framework. Time is running out in the meeting. How do you suggest postponing the discussion?
2. The security team wants more time to review the new authentication flow, so we decided to _______ this for the next sprint.
3. Which sentence uses table this incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using table this: We need to stop talking about the database optimization problem right now and come back to it when we have more performance data.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let's table this for now and revisit it next sprint."
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More about table this
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We ran into some disagreement about the database schema, but we decided to table this and get back to it after the code review."
- in a team meeting
"The PM suggested we table this feature request until we have clearer requirements from the client."
- in a sprint planning
"There is a lot of uncertainty around the third-party integration, so let's table this task for the next sprint."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Non-native speakers often confuse this with the literal meaning of placing something on a table. It is an idiom meaning to postpone or set aside discussion of a topic, not to physically put something on a table.
- ✕I tabled the document on the meeting table.✓I placed the document on the meeting table.
Table this is an idiom about postponing discussion, not about placing physical objects on furniture.
- ✕We will table this and never discuss it again.✓We will table this and discuss it next week.
Tabling means postponing, not abandoning. There is an expectation to revisit the topic later.
Other forms(3)
- table this verb
"We should table this discussion until we have more information."
- tabled verb
"The proposal was tabled at the last meeting and will be reviewed next month."
- tabling verb
"By tabling this issue, we can focus on more urgent tasks."
Often used with(4)
- table this for now · Used to suggest postponing something in the immediate future
- table this discussion · Specifically referring to postponing a conversation or debate
- table this topic · General phrase for postponing any subject matter
- table this until next week · Specifying when the postponed item will be revisited
Similar words(4)
- postpone · More formal and general term for delaying something
- put on hold · Similar meaning but slightly less formal in tech contexts
- defer · More formal alternative; commonly used in official settings
- shelve · Similar meaning but suggests longer postponement or lower priority
Opposites(3)
- address
- tackle
- resolve
Questions(8)
- What does "let's table this for now" mean?
- It means pause this topic and move on. "Let's table this for now and pick it up on Thursday" means stop the discussion today and continue on Thursday.
- What does "can we table this?" mean?
- It is a polite request to postpone a topic, usually because time is short or more information is needed. A natural reply is "Sure, I'll add it to next week's agenda."
- Does "table it" mean postpone or discuss?
- In American English, to table something means postpone it. In British English, to table a motion means put it forward for discussion. In global tech teams the American meaning is far more common, but ask if you are not sure.
- What does table this mean in software engineering?
- In tech meetings, to table this means to postpone or set aside discussion of a topic temporarily. It does not mean to cancel or reject the idea; rather, it means the team will revisit the conversation at a later time when there may be more information, time, or resources available.
- How do you use table this in a sentence at work?
- You use it when you want to postpone a discussion. For example: We should table this feature request until we hear back from the client. Or: Let us table this architectural decision and come back to it next sprint. It is typically used in meetings to manage time efficiently.
- Is table this formal or informal?
- Table this is neutral in formality. It is used in both casual team discussions and more formal meetings. However, it is primarily a spoken phrase used in meetings and synchronous communication rather than written documentation.
- What is the difference between table this and cancel?
- Tabling means postponing with the intention to revisit the topic later. Canceling means deciding not to pursue something at all. When you table a discussion, the expectation is that it will be discussed again in the future.
- Why is table this important in tech meetings?
- Tech meetings often have limited time and many important topics to cover. Using table this allows teams to manage discussions efficiently, ensuring that urgent items are addressed while setting aside less critical items for later discussion with better preparation or more time.
