# talk someone under the table

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/talk-someone-under-the-table
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To bore (someone) with excessive talk.

## Examples

- My neighbor talks everyone under the table about his garden.
- I tried to enjoy my coffee, but the man at the next table talked me under the table for an hour.
- During the long flight, the passenger sitting next to me talked me under the table until I finally pretended to fall asleep.

## Origin

The idiom is formed in parallel with the earlier phrase drink someone under the table. It shares a construction with the Dutch expression onder de tafel praten, used for those who outperform an opponent verbally or outdebate them until they are metaphorically floored.

---

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.