Keep in the loop

[0433] On the same page

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To have a shared understanding, agreement, or alignment on a situation, plan, issue, or information.

Origin

  • Evokes the image of people reading from the identical page in a script, document, or musical score, ensuring synchronization.
  • Popularized mid-20th century, especially in teamwork contexts.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • In agreement
  • Aligned
  • Seeing eye to eye
  • On the same wavelength (more about compatibility/thinking alike)
  • In sync
  • Understanding each other
  • Having a mutual understanding
  • Singing from the same hymn sheet (UK idiom, similar meaning)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Are we cool? (Are we in agreement/okay with each other?)
  • We straight? (AAVE influence Are we clear/agreed?)
  • You feel me? / You dig? (AAVE/older slang Do you understand/agree?)
  • Everyone tracking? (Military/tech slang Is everyone following/understanding?)

Milder/Standard:

  • Do we all agree?
  • Is everyone clear on this?
  • Do we share the same understanding?

More Formal:

  • Are we in consensus?
  • Is there mutual agreement on this point?

Situational Appropriateness

  • Extremely common and appropriate in work, team, academic, and collaborative settings (meetings, planning, projects).
  • Also used informally (Are we on the same page about weekend plans?).

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally clear. Ensure understanding it refers to mental/conceptual alignment, not physical location.

Examples

  • Before we move forward, let's quickly recap to ensure we're all on the same page.
  • I think we have different ideas about the budget. We need to get on the same page.

Dialogue

Project Manager: Okay, so the key deliverables are A, B, and C, due by end of month. Team Alpha handles A & B, Team Bravo handles C. Are we on the same page?

Team Alpha Lead: Yes, clear for Alpha.

Team Bravo Lead: Yep, Bravo understands. We're on the same page.

Project Manager: Excellent. Let's proceed.

Social Media Examples

  • Team Chat: Quick check-in before the client call: everyone on the same page with our key talking points? 👍/❓
  • Twitter Discussion: Reading this thread, it's clear the participants aren't even on the same page about the basic facts of the issue. #debate #communication

Response Patterns

  • Yes, absolutely. / Yep, all clear.
  • I think so, but can you clarify point X?
  • Hold on, I'm not quite there yet...
  • Yes, we're aligned.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After asking if everyone is on the same page:

  • If yes: Proceed with the next step.
  • If no or uncertainty: Pause to clarify, explain again, or discuss the point of confusion (Okay, what part is unclear?, Let me rephrase that.).
  • May involve summarizing key points to solidify agreement.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Used during a discussion to check for consensus or shared understanding.

Intonation

  • Stress usually on SAME PAGE. Are we all on the SAME PAGE?
  • Often used as a question with rising intonation to confirm mutual understanding.

Generation Differences

  • Widely used and understood across generations involved in group efforts or discussions.

Regional Variations

  • Common across English-speaking regions.
Keep in the loop
🎲 Think outside the box