Legal Definitions - lay on the table

Definition: To lay on the table means to postpone the consideration of a matter before a deliberative assembly. In British English, it means to schedule for consideration.

• The motion to increase the budget was laid on the table until the next meeting.
• The proposal to change the company's logo was tabled for further discussion.
• In the UK Parliament, the bill was laid on the table for debate.

These examples illustrate how the term "lay on the table" is used in different contexts. In the first example, the motion to increase the budget was postponed until the next meeting. In the second example, the proposal to change the company's logo was put aside for further discussion. In the third example, the bill was scheduled for debate in the UK Parliament.