Over dinner meaning in English

Learn how to use Over dinner correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot More than 8 million learners worldwide

Definition

over dinner, at dinner: during the evening meal idiom
We'll talk in detail over dinner. You can tell me all about it while we eat this evening.
over lunch during the midday meal
over the weekend: during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) idiom

Examples

  • "I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you to the first of a series of focus groups the marketing department will be holding over the coming weeks, so please reserve the above date in your diaries."
  • "How about we break for this morning and continue over lunch and drinks somewhere?"
  • "I propose we meet to discuss this over dinner, maybe Friday night...and it's my treat."
  • "I have done some thinking however, (you might consider doing the same once in a while), and I have come up with a few ideas, which we can address in further detail over dinner later this week."
  • "So if you're still willing, I'd like to get together over lunch, or maybe even brunch, so that we can sort out this trouble with your loans once and for all."
  • "doesn't soil it over the weekend."
  • "Listen, I was hoping we could meet over lunch."
  • "Votes will be tallied over the weekend, and we will have a meeting on Monday, in addition to our regularly scheduled staff meeting, to discuss the results and take your questions."
  • "You can read it over lunch."
  • "I hope to tour your factory over the weekend when all the workers have gone home."
  • "The votes will be tallied over the weekend, and we will have a meeting on Monday, in addition to our regularly scheduled staff meeting, to discuss the results, and take your questions."
  • "Perhaps we could conduct the interview over lunch one day?"
Exercise 1
To discuss a project over dinner is to discuss it dinner.
To discuss a project over dinner is to discuss it during dinner.
during: To discuss something "over dinner" indicates that a discussion will take place during the dinner. The term "during" links an action (discussing the project) with an event (the dinner). "During" almost always precedes a noun, (usually an event or period of time) in this case, "dinner".
after: "Over dinner" does not mean "after dinner".
before: "Over dinner" does not mean "before dinner".
instead of: "Over dinner" does not mean "instead of dinner".
Exercise 2
Sam wants to meet Bruno over lunch.

What does this mean?
Sam wants to meet Bruno over lunch.

What does this mean?
Sam wants to meet Bruno "over lunch", which indicates he wants to meet "for lunch" or "during lunch". "To meet or to talk "over" a meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner)" is a common idiom used in both British and American English, and suggests that a meeting or discussion take place during a meal. Note that in this context, "for" does not express the "reason" or "purpose" of the meeting, but rather the "timing" of it.
In this context, "over" doesn't express the sense of something being "finished" or "completed", or the idea of an action taking place "after" another one.
In this context, "over lunch" indicates that the meeting will occur during lunch, and doesn't suggest anything about the meal being late or early.
In this context, "over" doesn't express the sense of something being "finished" or "completed". It's true that in another context, "over" can express this sense, as in the sentence "I'll call you once the meeting is over".
Exercise 3
The bank employee tells Jean he can read the guide "over lunch". She means
The bank employee tells Jean he can read the guide "over lunch". She means
This is correct. To do something "over lunch" is to do it at the same time as eating the midday meal. Some more examples: "We can discuss the project over dinner", "Think about my proposition over the weekend". In this context, "over" shares a similar meaning with "during".
This is not correct. "After lunch" means once the midday meal is "over", or "finished". This is not the meaning of "over" in this context.
This is not correct. To do something "instead of" something else means to do one thing "in the place of", or "rather than" another. Example: "I've decided to go to the party instead of doing my homework". This is not the meaning of "over" in this context.

Still unsure of the best way to use 'Over dinner'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment

Absolutely free - no strings attached.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH