present company excepted

Present company excepted is an English idiom that is commonly used to exclude the person or people present from a statement that is being made. It is used to acknowledge that the statement being made may not apply to the current group of individuals under discussion. The idiom is often used in social settings, where one person wants to make a general statement or observation but does not want to offend or include the people currently present in that statement.

The origin of the phrase can be traced back to at least the 19th century. It is believed to have derived from the phrase "All concerned but one." The idiom is closely related to the concept of excluding people from a statement or generalization, which dates back even further in the English language. The use of this idiom reflects a social etiquette of tact and politeness.

The meaning of *present company excepted* is clear and straightforward. It is used to indicate that the speaker is making a general statement or observation, but that the people currently present are excluded from that statement. The idiom serves as a way to avoid offending or including the individuals in the statement being made.

An example of the idiom being used in a sentence is: "I have to say, I find this movie pretty boring overall. Present company excepted, of course." In this example, the speaker is expressing their opinion about a movie, but acknowledges that the people currently present may have a different opinion or may enjoy the movie.

Other than *present company excepted*, there are several other idioms in the English language that serve a similar purpose. One such phrase is "other than," which is used to emphasize that something or someone is different or separate from the topic at hand. For example, "The party was a disaster, other than the delicious food." In this sentence, the speaker is highlighting that the food was excellent despite the overall negative experience.

"Be that as it may" is another related idiom that expresses acknowledgement or acceptance of a particular fact or situation, while still maintaining a different overall perspective or opinion. It is used to introduce a contrasting point or perspective. For instance, "She may be difficult to work with, but be that as it may, she is incredibly talented." In this example, the speaker recognizes the individual's challenging nature, but emphasizes their talent regardless.

On the other hand, the idiom "on the other hand" is used to introduce an alternative viewpoint or contrasting opinion. It is often used when discussing two different options or perspectives. For instance, "I understand why you would want to go out tonight, but on the other hand, we have an early morning tomorrow." In this sentence, the speaker is presenting a different perspective by pointing out the potential consequences of going out.

Finally, "none other than" is an idiom used to emphasize the identity of someone or establish their status. It is often used to indicate surprise or excitement about a well-known or respected individual. For example, "When I walked into the restaurant, I saw none other than Beyoncé sitting at a table." In this sentence, the speaker is expressing their astonishment at seeing such a famous person.