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

They avoid hospitals, often at the expense of their own family’s health.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

"It opens the door to wider challenges against social media and other technology systems engineered to maximise engagement at the expense of user wellbeing."

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The resolution "risks pitting historical tragedies against each other that should not be compared, except at the expense of the memory of the victims," said French representative Sylvain Fournel.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Meta denied the allegations and says that it has been investing money for years to make its platforms safer at the expense of audience growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The beauty of this idea is that my decision to keep Peeta alive at the expense of my own life is itself an act of defiance.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins