в гостях полстола, уже подчистят

I find these words that look like a saying and I think that may mean:
Less food on the table, sooner is ended.
Lit.: Half a table for hosts, already / quickly is cleaned.
It is like this? Thank you.

It doesn't make any sense to me. Perhaps a whole sentence could help. Although I can't work it into a meaningful sentence myself.

This phrase is said in reference to those arriving late to a party. Those that have arrived early will have eaten already the half of what is on the table
They have given to me the meaning:
"They will eat the half of food on the table".
Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by radomir

"They will eat the half of food on the table".

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Aha, that'll be

В гостях полстола уже подчистят.

without a comma. That comma really baffled me.
It's not a saying, just a sentence.

OK, tks.

This is now I see it. A food was served on the table and half of the invited guests had arrived and took their seats. That's why it was expected that they'd be able to eat most of the food.

в гостях ГОСТЬ

подчистую, подчистить ПОДЧИСТУЮ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lampada

A food was served on the table and half of the invited guests had arrived and took their seats. That's why it was expected that they'd be able to eat most of the food.

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Yes, this works with the comma.

OK, tks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by radomir

Two ways:
Half the hosts have come and eaten their part, or
A unknown part of hosts have eaten the half of food.
:druzja:

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Нет, имелась в виду половина стола/половина стульев, занятых гостями = "в гостях полстола". И ожидалось, что гости подчистую всё съедят.

Half the hosts has come and everything have eaten. Thank you.