What Does "Present Company Excepted" Mean?
"Present company excepted" is an English idiom. It is an expression used to politely exempt individuals present from a general statement or criticism.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "present company excepted" used in a sentence:- I don't usually enjoy large family gatherings, but present company excepted, this has been a delightful evening.
- The restaurant's service is usually slow, but tonight, present company excepted, they've been exceptionally attentive to our table.
- Present company excepted, I find that most politicians are more interested in reelection than serving the public.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Present Company Excepted" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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