Se mettre à table

Question

Some googling reveals that whilst the literal meaning of the expression se mettre à table is "to sit down at the table", it actually means "to come clean", "to spill the beans", "to let the cat out of the bag". Is it common to use this expression to express its literal meaning?

Accepted Answer

Hi G,
In this exercise, the three expressions given as possibilities for 'to sit down to eat' are -
passer à table, se mettre à table, s'asseoir à table 
They all literally mean to sit down at the table to eat or dinner is ready, so please sit down at the table, which are expressions that are used every day in a French household, or the more simple command -
À table!
The figurative expressions you quote you might find in a police drama when an accused reveals what he knows.
Bonne Continuation!

Answer

I saw a movie in which someone yelled "À table" several times to alert others to come to dinner.  This expression makes perfect sense to me.  It's so nice to hear an expression repeated in context.