What does the idiom "nothing off the table" mean?

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 13:55:02 -0500

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Feb 2 at 2017 2:04 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 14:04:13 -0500

It means anything can happen, be changed, or talked about. When a politician uses the words, hold onto your wallet and keep your metaphoric guns handy.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 2 at 2017 2:55 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 14:55:48 -0500

Everything is negotiable, unless there is something that's a deal breaker.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 2 at 2017 3:08 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 15:08:06 -0500

It means that a military strike is possible.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Feb 2 at 2017 3:43 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 15:43:37 -0500

A serious ass whooping is heading your way if you continue doing what your doing!

Response by Lt Col Mark Avery made Feb 2 at 2017 4:07 PM

Lt Col Mark Avery — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 16:07:42 -0500

It means all options can and will be considered, including ones people don't want to consider. Pick an issue that requires a response. Start writing things down and placing them on the table, arranging them in the order of best to worst by whatever criteria. Anything on the table could be selected as a possible response. If there's something that leadership will refuse to even consider, then it's taken off the table. If nothing is off the table, then the enemy also has to consider every possible response and prepare for it as they make their decisions. Even if it's the absolutely last thing you'd ever do, as long as you'd do it, it's not off the table. Opening a discussion, particularly in the media, by saying what you absolutely would never do or stating in advance when you intend to cease operations, you've given the enemy an advantage - they either don't have to prepare for that response or can just wait you out. Not like that's ever happened. Oh, wait, yeah it did...repeatedly.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2017 2:47 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 14:47:21 -0500

It means all great ideas will be given just as much thought as bad ideas and all possibilities will be considered.