at the expense of

Idioms  

1. Also, at one's expense.

2. Paid for by someone, as in The hotel bill for the sales force is at the expense of the company . [Mid-1600s]

3. To the detriment or injury of a person or thing, as in We can't speed up production at the expense of quality , or The laughter was all at Tom's expense . [Late 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at the expense of

His lack of initiative in romance and curating expansive experiences to bring you closer is further evidence of this, and it’s all at the expense of the relationship and your fulfillment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The dishwasher camera does raise the question of how this will all change consumer behavior—specifically, our tolerance to the uncomfortable, and our willingness to retain agency, perhaps at the expense of being left behind.

From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2026

That Cox was able to navigate the hosts to safety has massively boosted his chances of remaining when Jacob Bethell returns from injury, possibly at the expense of Gay.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

“When everyone is racing to build as quickly as possible,” says McManus, “we really still have to consider what comes at the expense of that speed.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

“I mean, I want to have fun and everything, but not at the expense of, like, my future.”

From "Paper Towns" by John Green