table

[[t]te͟ɪb(ə)l[/t]]

♦♦

tables, tabling, tabled

1) N-COUNT A table is a piece of furniture with a flat top that you put things on or sit at.

She was sitting at the kitchen table eating a currant bun...

I placed his drink on the small table at his elbow.

2) N-COUNT If you ask for a table in a restaurant, you want to have a meal there.

I'd like a table for two at about 8.30, please...

I booked a table at the Savoy Grill...

You will join us at our table, won't you?

3) VERB If someone tables a proposal, they say formally that they want it to be discussed at a meeting. [mainly BRIT]

[V n] They've tabled a motion criticising the Government for doing nothing about the problem.

Syn:

propose

4) VERB If someone tables a proposal or plan which has been put forward, they decide to discuss it or deal with it at a later date, rather than straight away. [AM]

[V n] We will table that for later.

5) N-COUNT: also N num A table is a written set of facts and figures arranged in columns and rows.

Consult the table on page 104...

Other research supports the figures in Table 3.3.

6) N-COUNT: oft poss N A table is a list of the multiplications of numbers between one and twelve. Children often have to learn tables at school.

He didn't know his eleven-times table...

I attempted to learn my tables.

Syn:

multiplication table

7) → See also , dressing table, , round table, tea table

8) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you put something on the table, you present it at a meeting for it to be discussed.

This is one of the best packages we've put on the table in years...

It means that all the options are at least on the table.

9) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on n If you turn the tables on someone, you change the situation completely, so that instead of them causing problems for you, you are causing problems for them.

The only question is whether the President can use his extraordinary political skills to turn the tables on his opponents.

10) to put your cards on the table → see card