at leisure
Idioms-
Slowly, without haste, as in the famous 16th-century proverb, Marry in haste and repent at leisure .
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Unemployed, having free time, as in I'm not looking for another job right now; I want to be at leisure for at least a few months . This usage has become less common but is still heard. [1300s] Also see at one's leisure .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His modern vino de cocos may not exactly be the sort of spirit you’d want to sip at leisure, like mezcal or tequila.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
Roan in armor, Swift and Portman in Dior, English lords and ladies at leisure: All are tremendously famous, or at least rich, and some are icons in their own right.
From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2025
The precautionary planning for evacuation, Hecker said, included scenarios where the Americans are able to move out at leisure and also where they have to depart in a hurry, taking only the most sensitive materiel.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 18, 2023
"We see very strong demand for European short-haul traffic and when we for example look at leisure traffic to Mediterranean countries, we are already at pre-pandemic levels or even a bit above," Manner said.
From Reuters ● Mar. 2, 2023
In fifteen minutes flat, all that will be left of a zebra is the skull, which may yet be dragged away and gnawed down at leisure by young ones in the lair.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.