Today , we talk about an object found in every home . We eat off them . We can also work at them . We play games on them and , at other times , we simply gather around them . They are tables ! A table is often at the center of many activities . So it is not surprising that the word “table ” is used in several common expressions . Let's start with a very simple one : to table something . George Bernard Shaw was a famous playwright . He reportedly said that “England and America are separated by the same language .” Regardless of who said it first , there is truth in this funny statement . Similar expressions can sometimes mean different things in the U.K and the U.S . For example , the term to table means one thing in Britain , while it means the exact opposite in the United States . When Britain's parliament wishes to consider an issue for discussion , members vote “to table it .” These differences led to misunderstandings between the two countries shortly after the United States entered World War II . As the Americans and British began to develop joint military plans , the term “to table ” usually required a clearer explanation . There were British proposals that the Americans were strongly opposed to . They did not even want to discuss them . Respectfully , they said , “Let's table them .” The British were happy to hear that . They thought the Americans were ready to give the proposals serious considerations . Boy , were they wrong ! For a time , the misunderstandings could be troublesome . But in time , the two sides grew to understand what each meant by the expression “to table .” And communications between them improved . So did their military situation . After being on the defensive for a long time , allied forces moved forward to take the offensive on all battle fronts . The Allies turned the tables on German forces and defeated them . This saying comes from a popular 16th century card game . In the game , a player might have found themselves in a worse position than his opponent . And so , turning the board , or table , around put the other person in the same position . Hey did you watch your boss's television interview about education reform ? I hate watching her speak to reporters . Most of them are unfair and unprepared . Well , your boss was ready for them . She turned the tables on all of them . She brought all her facts and knowledge about the issue to the table . She supplied hard evidence that proved their accusations wrong . In that case , I'll watch that interview right away ! Nothing is better than seeing the tables turn against unfair reporters . So the expression “turn the tables ” comes from a game and so does the expression cards on the table . If we put our cards on the table we lay everything out in plain view . Nothing is hidden . However , people who want to keep their plans secret , deal under the table . This expression is used to describe dishonest activities , such as cheating . An employer who pays a worker under the table is paying them illegally without taking out taxes . But if you bring something to a party , you don't put it under the table . You put it on the table . Often when people are invited to parties , they bring something to eat or drink to share . Whether it is a bottle of wine or a chocolate cake , these gifts go on a table for everyone to enjoy . In American English , however , what you bring to the table is not limited to food or something to drink . What you bring to the table can be interesting stories , personal knowledge of a subject or a witty sense of humor . These things all make the event better . So , people who bring something to the table are those who bring something of value to a party , a meeting or event . We create stories and programs every day that hopefully help you improve your English . Thanks for listening .