# brown bag

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/brown-bag
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.

## Examples

- We are having a brown bag about the new software today.
- The marketing team organized a brown bag to discuss the upcoming project while everyone eats lunch.
- The department head scheduled a brown bag to share recent research findings, encouraging staff to attend during their midday break.

## Origin

From the brown paper bag traditionally used to carry one's own packed lunch from home.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.