At the expense of somebody/something
prepositional phrase
Used to say that someone suffers or is disadvantaged because of an action which benefits someone else.
He has achieved his goal but at the expense of his family life.
Often appears as...
- success at the expense of
- achievement at the expense of
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
prepositional phrase
Used to indicate that one thing is given up in order to gain another.
We should not improve living conditions in cities at the expense of rural areas.
Often appears as...
- development at the expense of
- gain at the expense of
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
prepositional phrase
Used to indicate when making fun or mocking someone.
She was telling jokes at the expense of her brother.
Often appears as...
- jokes at the expense of
- laugh at the expense of
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
prepositional phrase
Used to say that someone suffers or is disadvantaged because of an action which benefits someone else.
He has achieved his goal but at the expense of his family life.
Often appears as...
- success at the expense of
- achievement at the expense of
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
prepositional phrase
Used to indicate that one thing is given up in order to gain another.
We should not improve living conditions in cities at the expense of rural areas.
Often appears as...
- development at the expense of
- gain at the expense of
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
prepositional phrase
Used to indicate when making fun or mocking someone.
She was telling jokes at the expense of her brother.
Often appears as...
- jokes at the expense of
- laugh at the expense of
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Negative Connotation
This phrase often implies something negative happened as a result of prioritizing one thing over another.
He received a promotion at the expense of his colleagues' trust.
Pro Tip 2/2Causal Relationship
Highlights the cause-and-effect aspect where one action directly results in harm or loss to another.
The company's rapid growth came at the expense of quality control.
Pro Tip 1/2Negative Connotation
This phrase often implies something negative happened as a result of prioritizing one thing over another.
He received a promotion at the expense of his colleagues' trust.
Pro Tip 2/2Causal Relationship
Highlights the cause-and-effect aspect where one action directly results in harm or loss to another.
The company's rapid growth came at the expense of quality control.
Pro Tip 1/2Negative Connotation
This phrase often implies something negative happened as a result of prioritizing one thing over another.
He received a promotion at the expense of his colleagues' trust.
Pro Tip 2/2Causal Relationship
Highlights the cause-and-effect aspect where one action directly results in harm or loss to another.
The company's rapid growth came at the expense of quality control.
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