leave on the table

verb

To not accept (something on offer).

“They really left a lot on the table when they designed this hampered user interface.”

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Meanings

verbleave on the table (third-person singular simple present leaves on the table, present participle leaving on the table, simple past and past participle left on the table)

present singular third person leaves on the table · participle present leaving on the table · participle past left on the table · past left on the table

  1. To not accept (something on offer).

    It seems odd that the union left the tuition assistance program on the table when they negotiated this latest contract.

  2. To fail to seize (an opportunity that is apparent).

    They really left a lot on the table when they designed this hampered user interface.

Cite this entry
APA

leave on the table. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leave%20on%20the%20table

MLA

“leave on the table.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leave%20on%20the%20table. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “leave on the table,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leave%20on%20the%20table.

Source: leave on the table on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.