Present company excepted Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpɹɛzənt/, /pɝˈzɛnt/, /pɹiˈzɛnt/ /ˈkəmpəˌni/ /ɪkˈsɛptɪd

PREZ-uhnt KUMP-uh-nee ek-SEP-tid

UK

pɹəˈzɛnt/ /kˈʌmpəni/ /ɛksˈɛptɪd

pruh-ZENT KUMP-uh-nee eks-EP-tid

Definition

This phrase is used to say that a negative comment or criticism does not apply to the people who are currently present.

Usage & Nuances

Used in formal or semi-formal speech, often to soften criticism. Usually inserted after making a general negative statement about people. Best not used in written academic texts. Can also be phrased as 'except for present company'.

• Spanish: presente compañía excluida
• Portuguese (BR): com os presentes excluídos
• Portuguese (PT): com os presentes excluídos
• Chinese (Simplified): 在座各位除外
• Chinese (Traditional): 在座各位除外
• Hindi: यहाँ उपस्थित लोग शामिल नहीं हैं
• Arabic: باستثناء الحاضرين
• Bengali: এখানে উপস্থিত সবাই বাদে - বর্তমান উপস্থিত ব্যক্তিদের বাদ দিয়ে
• Russian: настоящие присутствующие не в счёт - за исключением присутствующих
• Japanese: ここにいる方々は別です - この場の方々を除いて
• Vietnamese: ngoại trừ những người có mặt ở đây
• Korean: 여기 계신 분들은 제외하고
• Turkish: buradakiler hariç
• Urdu: موجودہ لوگوں کے سوا
• Indonesian: kecuali yang hadir di sini - orang di sini tidak termasuk

Example Sentences

People can be lazy sometimes, present company excepted.

basic

Teachers are often strict, present company excepted.

basic

People from that city are unfriendly, present company excepted.

basic

Most politicians lie, present company excepted, of course.

natural

Engineers can be terrible at explaining things—present company excepted!

natural

Journalists tend to exaggerate, present company excepted.

natural