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Can we put the soup / water (and other liquids) on the table while they are in vessels that hold them?
For example, if my friend brings me a plate with soup, or water bottle, could I tell him "put the soup or the water on the table please" even he doesn't really put directly the soup or the water on the table but he puts there a plate with soup or the bottle of water?
The short answer is: Yes.
In table parlance:
You can put the soup on the table. You can put the water on the table.
In the case of soup, it will be in a tureen and served into plates at the table. Or: It can mean put the individuals bowls of soup on the table, which have already been served.
The same goes for water except: the water would be in a glass or ceramic jug.
If the water is to be drunk from glasses, you would say: Put the water glasses on the table.
If glasses of water are ready to be put on the table, you can say: Please put the water on the table.
The water could mean: the jug of water or the individual glasses of water that are already poured.
Some people may use water bottles on tables, I don't.
