1.
excuse me for going first; I'll go ahead
A polite expression used when leaving before others, such as leaving the office or a gathering earlier than colleagues. Short for お先に失礼します.
2.
after you; go ahead; please go first
Used to politely yield to someone, inviting them to go before you — for example, letting someone enter an elevator or go through a door first.
A versatile polite expression with two main uses. In sense 1, it apologizes for leaving before others, commonly heard at the end of the workday. In sense 2, it politely invites someone else to go first.
Common patterns
- お先に失礼します: excuse me for leaving first (full form, workplace standard)
- お先にどうぞ: please go ahead (yielding to someone)
- お先に頂きます: excuse me for going first (more humble)
- お先に: short form, used casually among coworkers or family
Usage
Sense 1 is the more common workplace usage. When leaving the office before colleagues, saying お先に失礼します is standard etiquette. The typical response from colleagues is お疲れ様でした (good work today).