chopping block
Literal meaning: a sturdy surface for chopping or pounding food, such as meat or fish. Less common in modern daily life; the figurative sense is far more frequent.
See also: 叩く (たたく)
The cook pounded the meat on the chopping block.
draft proposal; tentative plan; springboard for discussion
Figurative business term: a rough draft or initial plan put forward to be criticized, refined, or built upon. Often used in meetings and project planning.
Please prepare a draft proposal for the meeting.
This project plan is still a rough draft, so please give your honest feedback.
Most common spelling; uses たたき in kana to avoid confusion with the verb 叩く.
Kanji spelling using 叩く; less common but still seen.
Rare variant using the older kanji 敲; not recommended for learners.
Compound of 叩き (the continuative form of 叩く 'to hit, pound') and 台 'stand, platform'. Originally referred to a chopping block; the figurative business sense developed from the idea of a rough base to be 'hammered out' through discussion.