after you

FORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase after you

Meaning

A polite thing to say when you're letting somebody do something before you do, such as walk through a door or take salad from a bowl.

For example

  • "After you," said Sam. "Thanks," said Jenny as she walked through the door.

  • I reached for the salt just as my uncle did. "After you, my dear," he said.

Quick Quiz

When we got to the door, Tom said, "After you."

a. I went through after Tom

b. I went through before Tom

c. I went through with Tom
a) I went through after Tom b) I went through before Tom c) I went through with Tom

Contributor: Matt Errey