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.
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.
1. Up for discussion, as in There are two new proposals on the table. [Mid-1600s]
2. Postponed or put aside for later consideration, as in When they adjourned, three items were put on the table until the next meeting. [First half of 1700s] The table in both idioms is a figurative conference table. Also see lay one's cards on the table.