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

Higher rates make yield-bearing assets like Treasury bonds more attractive at the expense of gold.

From Barron's

Burden internalized this pattern, of foregrounding the importance of the paterfamilias at the expense of real intimacy, of keeping up appearances despite the private pain.

From Los Angeles Times

They explore how Top Model’s central promise—a fast track to a career in the fashion industry—was ultimately an illusion used to make great television at the expense of the contestants.

From Slate

He’d been overthinking his future at the expense of his joy.

From Literature

“Does that sound like you, Lexie? Based on what you’ve told me, it seems like you have so much consideration for your dad’s priorities that it’s at the expense of yourself.”

From Literature