at ease

1. Also, at one's ease . Comfortable, relaxed, unembarrassed, as in I always feel at ease in my grandmother's house . The related idiom put at ease means “make comfortable, reassure,” as in I was worried that the letter would not arrive in time, but the postmaster put me at ease . [1300s] For the antonym, see ill at ease .

2. In a relaxed position in military ranks. The phrase is often used as a command for troops standing at attention to relax, as in At ease, squadron . The command stand at ease is slightly different. A British military dictionary of 1802 described it as standing with the right foot drawn back about six inches and one's weight put on it. An American version is to stand with one's feet slightly apart and the hands clasped behind one's back.

Example Sentences

Boyles likened the potential appeal of the surf park to Topgolf, which makes a point in its advertising of putting beginners at ease with swinging a club for fun while also appealing to experienced golfers.

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He may make them feel wrongly at ease around him, and it could also make it easy for him to form alliances.

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Thompson's first goal is one which will put her at "ease", says Brighton forward Fran Kirby, who previously spent nine years at Chelsea.

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Today, getting that assist and goal will make her feel a little bit more at ease going into the next game.

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Over the years, not everyone has been as at ease about staying at the creepy old digs.

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Related Words

• amicable 
• balmy 
• calm 
• easygoing 
• gentle 
• mild 
• pastoral 
• placid 
• restful 
• sedate 
• serene 
• sober 
• stable 
• tame 
• temperate