At your/somebody’s pleasure
adverbial phrase
If you do something at someone's pleasure, you do it only when and for as long as they allow you to.
The act allows the state to detain suspects at its pleasure.
Often appears as...
- remain at your pleasure
- serve at your pleasure
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
adverbial phrase
As and when someone chooses.
He emphasized that he was not there to serve at the pleasure of the president, but rather the constitution.
Often appears as...
- serve at your pleasure
- use at your pleasure
Usage tips
Formal
adverbial phrase
If you do something at someone's pleasure, you do it only when and for as long as they allow you to.
The act allows the state to detain suspects at its pleasure.
Often appears as...
- remain at your pleasure
- serve at your pleasure
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
adverbial phrase
As and when someone chooses.
He emphasized that he was not there to serve at the pleasure of the president, but rather the constitution.
Often appears as...
- serve at your pleasure
- use at your pleasure
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
This phrase often implies a power imbalance, where one person has control over another.
You'll work here at my pleasure, and I can let you go at any time.
Pro Tip 2/3Implicit Threat
Sometimes used to subtly express a threat or warning in a polite manner.
You may hold that position at the board's pleasure, so tread carefully.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Context
Frequently found in legal or contract language, indicating conditional rights or privileges.
The license is granted at the authority’s pleasure and may be revoked.
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