at all costs

Idioms  

1. Also,. Regardless of the expense or effort involved, by any means. For example, Ann told the doctor to preserve her mother's sight at all costs, or It seems the company plans to develop the product at any cost, or I'm determined to get vacation time at any price. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Her affinity for her subject — an undisguised bias most documentary filmmakers would try to avoid at all costs — is her great advantage.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Social-media companies build their products to keep kids addicted at all costs.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

President Donald Trump will want to avoid at all costs a prolonged surge in oil prices, which would become his political Achilles' heel.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

He knows that “Marty Supreme” holds an unflattering mirror up to his own drive and allows that to become its own backhanded compliment to the thrill of watching an actor chase success at all costs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

It was the source of trouble and corruption, and should be avoided at all costs.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela