at all costs Also, at any cost or price. 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]
at all times Continuously, without interruption, as in At the airport Mary was warned to keep her carry-on bag in sight at all times.
at a loss 1. Below cost, as in The store was doing so badly that it was selling merchandise at a loss. 2. Puzzled, perplexed, in a state of uncertainty, as in When his letters were returned unopened, John was at a loss as to what to do next. This usage was originally applied to hounds who had lost the scent or track of their prey. [Mid-1600s] 3. at a loss for words. Unable or uncertain as to what to say. For example, Father’s tirade left us all at a loss for words. [Late 1600s]
at a low ebb At a low point, in a state of decline or depression. For example, The current recession has put our business at a low ebb. This idiom transfers the low point of a tide to a decline in human affairs. [Mid-1600s]
at any cost Also, at any price. → See AT ALL COSTS.
at any rate In any event, whatever the case may be; also, at least. For example, At any rate, I promise to be there even if I’m a little late, or It may not pay well, but at any rate it’s a job. [Early 1600s] Also see IN ANY CASE.
at a premium At a higher price than usual owing to scarcity; also, considered more valuable, held in high esteem. For example, Since that article came out, the firm’s stock has been selling at a premium and Space is at a premium in most stores. This idiom uses premium in the sense of “bounty” or “bonus.” [Mid-1800s] Also see PUT A PREMIUM ON.
at arm’s length At a distance, avoiding intimacy or familiarity, as in Bill hated seeing his colleagues outside the office, preferring to keep all of them at arm’s length, or She was friendly only when he was safely at arm’s length. Now often used with the verb keep, this term for distancing oneself from a person, organization, or issue originated as at arm’s end but developed its current form by the mid-1600s.
at a sitting At one time, during one period. For example, The cruise ship could feed about 500 passengers at a sitting, or We read the entire poem at a sitting. Since the word sitting implies just that posture, the term means “during a period when one is seated and engaged in a single continuous activity.”
at a stretch Also, at one stretch. At one time, during one period. For example, Working quickly, she hoped to finish all the drawings at a stretch. In contrast to the nearly synonymous AT A SITTING, this idiom, first recorded in 1774, does not imply being seated while engaging in a single continuous activity. Rather, it transfers the meaning of stretch as “a continuous length” to “a continuous time period.”
at a time → See AT ONE TIME, def. 1.
at a word In immediate response, at an instant. For example, At a word from the captain they lined up in order. [c. 1300]
at bat Taking one’s turn. For example, At this conference, with so many interruptions, it’s hard to tell which speaker is at bat, or I was nervous while waiting to testify, but once at bat I felt better. This idiom, from baseball, was already being transferred to other enterprises by the 1880s. Also see ON DECK.
at bay Cornered, in distress, as in Angry by-standers chased the thief into an alley and held him at bay until the police arrived. This idiom originally came from hunting, where it describes an animal that has been driven back and now faces pursuing hounds. Its use for other situations dates from the late 1500s.
at best Under the most favorable circumstances, as in At best we’ll be just one week behind schedule, or Cleaning out the attic is a tedious job at best. This idiom, formerly also put as at the best, today is most often used in situations that are actually far from ideal, as in the examples above. [First half of 1300s] For an antonym, see AT WORST.
at bottom Fundamentally, basically; also, in reality. For example, He may speak somewhat bluntly, but at bottom he’s always honest. Charles Dickens used this idiom in Nicholas Nickleby (1838): “He’s a good pony at bottom.” [Early 1700s]
at close quarters Crowded, in a confined space, as in We could use a lot more room; this tiny office puts us at close quarters. This idiom makes figurative use of quarters in the sense of “military lodgings” but originated in 18th-century naval warfare. When the enemy boarded a ship, the crew would retreat behind wooden barriers erected for this purpose and would continue to fire through loopholes. They thus were very near the enemy, fighting in close quarters. [c. 1800]
at close range Very nearby, as in At close range, the rock band was unbearably loud. Derived from shooting—range denotes the distance that a missile or projectile can be made to travel—this expression soon came to mean anything in close proximity.
at cross purposes With aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another, as in I’m afraid the two departments are working at cross purposes. This idiom, first recorded in 1688, may have begun as a 17th-century parlor game called “cross-purposes,” in which a series of subjects (or questions) were divided from their explanations (or answers) and distributed around the room. Players then created absurdities by combining a subject taken from one person with an explanation taken from another.
at death’s door On the point of dying, very ill, as in Whenever she had a bad cold she acted as though she were at death’s door. The association of death with an entry way was first made in English in the late 1300s, and the phrase itself dates from the mid-1500s. Today it is often used as an exaggeration of ill health.
at each other’s throats Arguing or fighting. For example, It was a very dramatic trial, with the prosecutor and the defense attorney constantly at each other’s throats. This idiom, with its vivid image of two persons trying to strangle each other, is often applied to less physical forms of disagreement.
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.
at every turn Everywhere; also, continually, at every moment. For example, He found trash strewn about at every turn, or Life holds surprises at every turn. The turn here does not signify change of direction but change of circumstances, and the phrase generally is something of an exaggeration. [Late 1500s]
at face value, take Accept from its outward appearance, as in You can’t always take a manufacturer’s advertisements at face value; they’re bound to exaggerate. Literally this idiom has referred to the monetary value printed on a bank note, stock certificate, bond, or other financial instrument since the 1870s. The figurative usage is from the late 1800s.
at fault Responsible for a mistake, trouble, or failure; deserving blame. For example, At least three cars were involved in the accident, so it was hard to determine which driver was at fault, or He kept missing the target and wondered if the sight on his new rifle was at fault. In Britain this usage was formerly considered incorrect but is now acceptable; in America it has been widespread since the mid-1800s. Also see IN THE WRONG.
at first Initially, at the start, as in At first the berries were green, but when they ripened they turned bright red. [Second half of 1500s]
at first blush Also, at first glance or sight. When first seen. For example, At first blush we thought it was an elegant restaurant, but it soon became obvious that it was hardly the place for a special dinner, or At first g
lance the contract looked just fine. All three phrases date from the 1300s. The noun blush is used with the obsolete meaning “glimpse” or “momentary view” and in this idiom has nothing to do with showing embarrassment. Also see LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
at first hand Directly from the origin, without intervention or intermediary. For example, I prefer to hear his criticism at first hand, rather than having it passed on by my boss. This phrase uses hand in the sense of “person” (coming directly from one person). [First half of 1700s] Also see AT SECOND HAND.
at full tilt → See FULL TILT.
at gunpoint Also, at knifepoint. Under coercion, as in I’m going to hold him at gunpoint for that raise he promised me last year. Both these phrases were at first used literally and later also figuratively. [Mid-1900s]
at half-mast Halfway up or down, as in The church bells tolled off and on all day and the flags were at half-mast. This term refers to placing a flag halfway up a ship’s mast or flagpole, a practice used as a mark of respect for a person who has died or, at sea, as a distress signal. Occasionally the term is transferred to other objects, as in Tom’s pants were at half-mast as he raced around the playground, or The puppy’s tail was at half-mast. [First half of 1600s]
at hand 1 Also, close or near at hand. Within easy reach, nearby, as in I like to keep my tools close at hand. [1300s] 2. Also, on hand.Nearby in time, soon, as in The day of judgment is at hand or A change of administration is on hand. Also see ON HAND.
at heart 1. Fundamentally, basically, as in He’s a good fellow at heart. It was first recorded in Alexander Pope’s Epistle to a Lady (1735): “But every Woman is at heart a Rake.” 2. In one’s deepest feelings, as a great concern, as in The governor has the party’s best interests at heart. [Early 1700s]
at home 1. In one’s own residence, town, or country. For example, Mary was not at home when I called, or Tourists in a foreign country often behave more rudely than they do at home. This idiom was first recorded in a ninth-century treatise. 2. Ready to receive a visitor, as in We are always at home to our neighbor’s children. This usage gave rise to the noun at-home, meaning a reception to which guests are invited on a specific day at specific hours (also see OPEN HOUSE). [c. 1600] 3. Also, at home with. Comfortable and familiar, as in Mary always makes us feel at home, or I’ve never been at home with his style of management. [Early 1500s] Also see AT EASE, def. 1. 4. Also, at home with. Proficient, well-versed in, as in Young John is so much at home with numbers that he may well become a mathematician, or Chris is really at home in French. [Late 1700s] 5. In team sports, playing on one’s own field or in one’s own town. For example, The Red Sox always do better at home than they do at away games.
at issue 1. In question, under discussion; also, to be decided. For example, Who will pay for the refreshments was the point at issue. [Early 1800s] 2. In conflict, in disagreement, as in Physicians are still at issue over the appropriate use of hormone therapy. This usage, from legal terminology, was defined by Sir William Blackstone (Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1768), who said that when a point is affirmed by one side and denied by the other, “they are then said to be at issue.”
at it Vigorously pursuing an activity, especially a fight, but also sex or some other activity. For example, Whenever they play bridge they really go at it (fight), or The new job keeps Tom at it day and night (works hard), or In the spring the dogs are always at it (sex). Shakespeare used this seemingly modern idiom for “fighting” in Troilus and Cressida (5:3): “They are at it, hark!” [Late 1500s]
at large 1. Free, unconfined, especially not confined in prison, as in To our distress, the housebreakers were still at large. [1300s] 2. At length, fully; also, as a whole, in general. For example, The chairman talked at large about the company’s plans for the coming year, or, as Shakespeare wrote in Love’s Labour’s Lost (1:1): “So to the laws at large I write my name” (that is, I uphold the laws in general). This usage is somewhat less common. [1400s] 3. Elected to represent an entire group of voters rather than those in a particular district or other segment—for example, alderman at large, representing all the wards of a city instead of just one, or delegate at large to a labor union convention. [Mid-1700s]
at last Also, at long last. After a long time, finally, as in At last the speeches ended and dinner was served, or Harry’s got his degree at long last. The first term dates from about 1200, the variant from the early 1500s. Also see AT LENGTH, def. 2.
at least 1. Also, at the least. According to the lowest possible assessment, no less than. For example, At least a dozen more chairs are needed, or The job will take four hours at the least. [c. 1050] 2. Anyway, anyhow, as in At least you got there on time, or The children enjoyed the dessert at least. [c. 1050] For synonyms, see AT ANY RATE; IN ANY CASE.
at leisure 1. Slowly, without haste, as in the famous 16th-century proverb, Marry in haste and repent at leisure. 2. 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.
at length 1. In full, extensively. For example, The preacher went on at length about sin, or I have read at length about these cameras. [c. 1500] 2. After a long time, finally, as in At length the procession ended. [Early 1500s] Also see IN THE LONG RUN.
at liberty Free, not obligated; also, not occupied. For example, I am not at liberty to tell you the whole story, or “I . . . washed when there was a basin at liberty” (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847). This idiom is often used in a negative context, as in the first example. [First half of 1800s]
at loggerheads Engaged in a quarrel or dispute, as in The two families were always at loggerheads, making it difficult to celebrate holidays together. This term may have come from some earlier meaning of loggerhead, referring either to a blockhead or stupid person, or to a long-handled iron poker with a bulb-shaped end that was heated in the fire and used to melt pitch. If it was the latter, it may have been alluded to as a weapon. [Late 1600s] For a synonym, see AT ODDS.
at long last → See under AT LAST.
at loose ends In an unsettled or uncertain situation. For example, This whole visit has left me feeling restless, constantly at loose ends, or Jane couldn’t find a job this year and so is at loose ends for the summer. [Mid-1800s]
at most Also, at the most or at the outside. At the largest amount, the furthest limit; also, in the most extreme case. For example, She’ll be finished in two weeks at the most, or It’ll take two weeks at the outside, or At most the chef uses a tiny bit of pepper. The terms with most date from the 1300s; at the outside from the mid-1800s. Also see AT BEST.
at odds In disagreement, opposed. For example, It is only natural for the young and old to be at odds over money matters. This idiom uses odds in the sense of “a condition of being unequal or different,” and transfers it to a difference of opinion, or quarrel. [Late 1500s]
at once 1. At the same time, as in We can’t all fit into the boat at once. [First half of 1200s] Also see AT ONE TIME, def. 1. 2. Immediately, as in Mother told the children to come inside at once. [First half of 1500s]
at one In agreement, in harmony, as in John and Pat were at one on every subject except her cat, which made him sneeze, or Springtime always makes me feel at one with nature. [1300s]
at one blow → See AT ONE STROKE.
at one fell swoop → See ONE FELL SWOOP.
at one’s → In addition to idioms beginning with AT ONE’S, also see idioms beginning with AT SOMEONE’S.
at one’s best In one’s most excellent state or condition. For example, The photographer tried hard to show the bride at her best. [1500s]
at one’s convenience Also, at one’s earliest convenience. Whenever one wishes; also, as soon as one can. For example, Pick up the car any time, at your convenience, or We need that drawing very soon, so please finish it at your earliest convenience. The use of convenience in the sense of “ease” or “abse
nce of trouble” dates from about 1700.
at one’s door Also, on one’s doorstep. Very nearby, as in The bus stop was practically on our doorstep, or The Mexican currency crisis is literally at our door. [Early 1900s] Also see LAY AT SOMEONE’S DOOR.
at one’s ease → See AT EASE, def. 1.
at one’s fingertips Ready at hand, immediately available. This idiom is used both literally, as in This new dashboard design keeps all the important controls at the driver’s fingertips, and figuratively, as in Tom was so familiar with the proposal that he had all the details at his fingertips. [Second half of 1800s]
at one’s leisure Whenever one wishes, at one’s convenience, as in At your leisure, please look over this manuscript and give me your comments. [1400s] Also see AT LEISURE.
at one stroke Also, at one blow; at a stroke or blow; in one stroke or blow. At the same time, with one forceful or quick action. For example, I managed to please both buyer and seller at one stroke. The first term is the older version, so used by Chaucer; at one blow was used by Shakespeare.
at one’s wit’s end Also, at wits’ end. Completely puzzled and perplexed, not knowing what to do. For example, I’ve tried every possible source without success, and now I’m at my wit’s end. This idiom, which uses wit in the sense of “mental faculties,” appeared in Piers Ploughman (c. 1377).
at one’s word → See TAKE SOMEONE AT HIS OR HER WORD.
at one time 1. Simultaneously, at the same time, as in All the boys jumped into the pool at one time. For synonyms, see AT ONCE, def. 1; AT THE SAME TIME, def. 1. 2. Formerly, in the past, as in At one time very few houses in town were on the market.
at one time or another On various separate occasions. For example, At one time or another I’ve considered replacing the furnace, but so far I haven’t done so. [Early 1600s]
at pains, be at Also, take pains. Make a special effort or take extra trouble to do something. For example, Bob was at pains to make a good first impression and wore his best suit, or Mary took pains to make sure her speech would interest the audience. [First half of 1500s]
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms Page 6
