We are on the same page..

Both India and China are on the same page regarding peaceful resolution of all differences

The students, the professors and the college administration are on the same page when it comes to the importance of spoken English skills. They all understand its importance and indispensability for a great career. However, how to go about improving spoken English skills of so many students from such diverse backgrounds at an affordable cost is a question that baffles all of them.

Can you guess something about the meaning of, “The same page” from the above paragraph?

What happens when you and I read from the same page – we are reading the same lines and we are getting the same ideas. In other words, we are thinking or feeling the same thing. This is the central idea of this phrase.

When the two of you are on the same page or are reading from the same page, it means you are in agreement over something.

Let’s take a look at some examples:

1. Both the management and the workers are on the same page regarding the need to restart production. If the work remains halted, all parties lose. With this realization having set in, there are greater chances of a resolution being achieved.
2. Great, now that you and I are reading from the same page, lets now discuss the nitty-grittys of the project.
3. It is very important that all three branches of the defense forces are reading from the same page in times of external aggression. Army, Airforce and Navy have to act in tandem to achieve quick victory over the enemy at minimal human cost.

Reading from the same page means broad level agreement – there still might be some differences on minor points but there is consensus on major points. It doesn’t mean agreement on every single comma and full stop. For example:

Both India and China are on the same page as regards the need to peaceful resolution of the border dispute. There are difference over perception of border in certain areas but those are solvable problems.