present

(redirected from presented)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal.

Related to presented: re-presented

all present and accounted for

All people or things being tallied are present, or their location or status is known or has been considered. While using "or" instead of "and" would make more sense logically, it is not used idiomatically in this way. "Have you finished checking the inventory?" "Yes sir, all present and accounted for."

all present and correct

All people or things being tallied are present, or their location or status is known or has been considered. Primarily heard in UK. A: "Have you finished checking the inventory?" B: "Yes sir, all present and correct."

at present

Currently. I'm sorry, we are not accepting applications at present. Mr. Green is not in the office at present. Can I take a message?

See also: present

at the present time

Right now. I'm sorry, but we're not accepting applications at the present time. She's busy at the present time—can she call you back later?

for the moment

Just for right now. Please sit here for the moment while I prepare your table.

for the present

At the present moment; for now. For the present, our plans remain unchanged until something convinces us otherwise. Let's just stay focused on this for the present. We can address other issues later in the meeting.

See also: present

live in the present

To pay attention to and appreciate one's current situation or the events currently happening in one's life, without being overly focused on or distracted by the past or future. I just wish you wouldn't be stressing about money so constantly and would just live in the present a bit more—we've got a pretty wonderful life, and we always manage to make ends meet. Instead of living in the present and dealing with issues that actually affect us today, the president seems to prefer to spend her time castigating her opponents for things they did 10, 15, 20 years ago.

make a present of (something)

1. Literally, to give something to someone as a gift. I'm planning to make a present of this scarf I'm knitting. Maybe I'll give it to my grandmother.

2. By extension, to be so careless with one's property or possessions that they are easily stolen or exploited. A majority of online consumers keep making presents of their personal information by using the same easy-to-guess password for all of their accounts. Police are reminding homeowners that they can avoid making a present of their belongings while on vacation by locking the doors and windows and putting at least one light on a timer.

on a silver platter

Delivered or given to one, without having put forth much or any effort. Of course the CEO's daughter got the job without having to interview—she gets everything on a silver platter.

See also: on, platter, silver

on present form

Based on someone's or something's current status, situation, behavior, or performance. On present form, the company remains on track to increase its profit margin over last year. We had hoped to be moved in by January, but, on present form, it isn't likely to be until March.

present (one) with (something)

To give or award something to one, especially in a formal or ceremonious capacity. They presented him with an award for his work in finding a cure for cancer. We'd like to present you with this commemorative plaque for all your years of hard work for the firm.

See also: present

present (something) to (one)

To formally or ceremoniously give or award something to one. They presented an award to him for his work in finding a cure for cancer. We'd like to present this commemorative plaque to you for all your years of hard work for the firm.

See also: present

present as (someone or something)

1. To act or seem to be identifiable as a particular sex, gender, or sexual orientation. You're less likely to get harassed if you present as a heteronormative man. When I presented as female, people definitely didn't see me as an authority figure.

2. To depict, portray, or describe someone, something, or oneself as a particular kind or type of person or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "present" and "as." The film presents the dictator as a benevolent but misunderstood leader. She was arrested for presenting herself as a lawyer to several people, offering discreet legal help in exchange for large fees.

See also: present

present company excepted

Without regards to the person or people in one's immediate vicinity. Everyone in this school is a self-centered, spoiled little brat. Present company excepted, of course. Present company excepted, there isn't a single person in this building who has the skills it takes to run the business.

See also: company, except, present

present company excluded

Without regards to the person or people in one's immediate vicinity. Everyone in this school is a self-centered, spoiled little brat. Present company excluded, of course. Present company excluded, there isn't a single person in this building who has the skills it takes to run the business.

the golden age was never the present age

proverb The present always seems lacking in comparison to the future or the past. (A "golden age" is a period of or defined by outstanding excellence, quality, prosperity, or achievement.) I know, I know, the golden age was never the present age—that's why the seniors are so eager to be done with high school. Too bad they'll never realize how good they have it right now. A: "I tell you, movies are nowhere near as good as they were in the 80s!" B: "That's the nostalgia talking, dude. The golden age was never the present age."

the present day

The current period in history. Can be hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. Though set in the present day, the film imagines an alternate timeline in which the allies lost the second World War. The story jumps between the past, future, and present-day narratives.

See also: present

there's no time like the present

If something is a good idea, is worth doing, or needs to be done, it should be done now or as soon as possible. A: "When do you want me to start cleaning the house?" B: "Well, there's no time like the present." There's no time like the present, so let's go ahead and get the application started.

See also: like, no, present, time

at present

now; at this point in time. We are not able to do any more at present. We may be able to lend you money next week, but not at present.

See also: present

at the present time

and at this point (in time)

Cliché now; at present. (Used often as a wordy replacement for now.) We don't know the location of the stolen car at the present time. The patient is doing nicely at the present time.

for the moment

and for the time being

for the present; for now; temporarily. This quick fix will have to do for the moment. This is all right for the time being. It'll have to be improved next week, however. This good feeling will last only for the time being.

live in the present

Fig. to deal with contemporary events and not be dominated by events of the past or planning for the future. Forget the past; live in the present. It was no longer possible to get Uncle Herman to live in the present.

*on a silver platter

Fig. using a presentation [of something] that is appropriate for a very formal setting. (*Typically: give something to someone ~; present something ~; serve something ~; want something ~.) Aren't paper plates good enough for you? You want dinner maybe on a silver platter?

See also: on, platter, silver

present someone (to someone) (at something)

to introduce someone to someone at some event. They presented him to the queen at her birthday party. I will present you to the rest of the committee.

present something to someone

and present someone with something

to give something to someone, especially if done ceremoniously. They presented a watch to me when I retired. They presented me with a watch when I retired.

See also: present

(There's) no time like the present.

Prov. Cliché Do what you are supposed to do now. (You can use this to suggest that something be done right away.) Jill: When should we start cleaning up the house? Jane: No time like the present. Start studying for the big exam now, instead of waiting till the night before. There's no time like the present.

See also: like, no, present, time

all present and accounted for

All members or items of a group are here or their whereabouts are known, as in Is everyone ready to board the bus?-All present and accounted for. This expression almost certainly originated in the armed forces as a response to roll call. By proper logic, the and should be or. Nevertheless, the expression is used colloquially to offer assurance that no person or thing is missing.

at present

Also, at the present time. Now, as in I've not enough cash at present to lend you any, or At present the house is still occupied. This slightly longer way of saying "at this time" formerly was even longer- at this present or at that present -denoting a more specific time. [Mid-1600s] Also see at this point.

See also: present

for the moment

Also, for the present; for the time being. Temporarily, during the period under consideration, for now. For example, For the moment I am tied up, but I'll get to it next week, or This room arrangement will do for the present, or Jim will act as secretary for the time being. The first term dates from the late 1800s, the first variant from the mid-1500s, and the second variant from the late 1400s.

no time like the present, there's

Do or say it now, as in Go ahead and call him-there's no time like the present. This adage was first recorded in 1562. One compiler of proverbs, John Trusler, amplified it: "No time like the present, a thousand unforeseen circumstances may interrupt you at a future time" ( Proverbs Exemplified, 1790).

present company excepted

People say present company excepted when they say something about other people, to show that they are not referring to the people or person they are with. Men are hopeless at expressing their feelings, present company excepted, of course. Note: This expression is usually used when people are saying something critical or unpleasant about other people.

See also: company, except, present

on a silver platter

on a platter

If you are given something on a silver platter or on a platter, you are given it without having to work or make an effort to get it. You expect me to hand you everything on a silver platter, and when you don't get it, you stamp your little foot and cry. The Opposition has been handed this issue on a platter. Note: A platter is a large plate or shallow dish used for serving food.

See also: on, platter, silver

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

all present and correct

used to indicate that not a single thing or person is missing.

1982 Bernard MacLaverty A Time to Dance She began to check it, scraping the coins towards her quickly and building them into piles. ‘All present and correct,’ she said.

(there is) no time like the present

used to suggest that something should be done now rather than later.

See also: like, no, present, time

present company excepted

excluding those who are here now.

See also: company, except, present

on a silver platter (or salver)

without having been asked or sought for; without requiring any effort or return from the recipient.

The image here is of a butler or waiter presenting something on a silver tray.

See also: on, platter, silver

all ˌpresent and corˈrect

(British English) (American English all ˌpresent and acˈcounted for) (spoken) used to say that all the things or people who should be there are now there: ‘Now, is everybody here?’ ‘All present and correct, Sir!’

This is used in the army to inform an officer that none of the soldiers in his or her unit are missing, injured, etc.

at ˈpresent

now; at the moment: How many people are living in this house at present?

See also: present

make a ˈpresent of something (to somebody)

make it easy for somebody to take or steal something from you, or to gain an advantage over you, because you have been careless: Before you go out, lock all the doors and windows. Don’t make a present of your property (to thieves).

on ˈpresent form

judging by somebody/something’s present performance or behaviour; as things are at the moment: On present form I’d say he should win easily. ♢ A painting by Durant could sell for over a million on present form.

present company exˈcepted

(also excepting present ˈcompany) used as a polite remark to show that the criticisms you are making are not directed at the people you are talking to: My feeling is that the people around here, present company excepted of course, are rather unfriendly.

See also: company, except, present

the ˌpresent ˈday

modern times; now: These customs have continued right up to the present day. ♢ Present-day attitudes to women are very different.

See also: present

(hand something to somebody) on a silver ˈplatter

give something to somebody without expecting them to do or give anything in return: I don’t like her at all — she expects to be handed everything on a silver platter as if she’s better than other people.

A platter is a large plate that is used for serving food.

See also: on, platter, silver

(there’s) no time like the ˈpresent

(saying) the best time to do something is now: ‘When do you want me to start the decorating?’ ‘Well, no time like the present, is there?’

See also: like, no, present, time

at present

At the present time; right now.

See also: present

for the present

For the time being; temporarily.

See also: present

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

all present and accounted for

Everyone (or everything) is here. This cliché originated in the military as a response to roll call and actually is redundant—if one is present one is also accounted for. The British version, all present and correct, where correct means “in order,” makes more sense but did not cross the Atlantic.