What it actually means
This is getting interesting and I need to control it before anyone says something useful.
Surface meaning: To remove a discussion from a group setting and continue it privately.
If someone just said “Take This Offline” in a meeting, here is what they probably meant, what to do about it, and how to keep your sanity.
In the wild
VP: Great points, let's take this offline.
(Never spoken of again.)
How to respond
If you raised the point, send a follow-up email within an hour with three lines of context and one ask. Force the offline to be real.
Origin
Pre-2000 office jargon, when 'online' meant the meeting and 'offline' meant the hallway.
FAQ
What does "Take This Offline" actually mean?
This is getting interesting and I need to control it before anyone says something useful.
Where did the phrase "Take This Offline" come from?
Pre-2000 office jargon, when 'online' meant the meeting and 'offline' meant the hallway.
How should I respond when someone says "Take This Offline"?
If you raised the point, send a follow-up email within an hour with three lines of context and one ask. Force the offline to be real.
Related corporate vocabulary
The email version of this phrase is in your inbox right now.
The Email Relevance Checker tells you whether that thread ever needed you on it.
Open the Email Relevance Checker →