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present
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."
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?
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?
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.
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 beingfor 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?
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 somethingto 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.
(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.
for the moment
at this time
for the time being For the moment, he was alone in a his hotel room. Related vocabulary:
for the present on a silver platter
without work or effort The Internet provides huge quantities of information on a silver platter, but you don't know if it's accurate or true.
at present
now There are at present about 2500 employees in our company.
for the present
now, although probably not for long
For the present, these puzzling crimes remain unsolved. Related vocabulary:
for the moment present company excepted
(British, American & Australian humorous) also present company excluded (American humorous) something that you say which means that the criticism you have just made does not describe the people who are listening to you now People just don't know how to dress in this country, present company excepted, of course.
There's no time like the present.
something that you say in order to show that you think it is a good idea to do something immediately 'When do you think I should phone Mr Hughes about that job?' 'Well, there's no time like the present.'
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.
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).
at present
At the present time; right now.
for the present
For the time being; temporarily.