at · prep
at all costs
B2 If something must be done at all costs, it is very important that it is done.
Dictionary examples:
We have to succeed at all costs. (21.9)
at sb's disposal
B2 available for you to use at any time
Dictionary examples:
We will have a car at our disposal for the whole trip. (36.5)
at fault
B2 responsible for something bad that has happened
Dictionary examples:
I was the one at fault and I apologized. (29.5)
at risk
B2 being in a situation where something bad is likely to happen
Dictionary examples:
Releasing these prisoners puts the public at risk. (40.2)
All houses within 400 feet of the beach are at risk of flooding. (62.6)
at the expense of sth
C1 If you do one thing at the expense of another, doing the first thing harms the second thing.
Dictionary examples:
He spent a lot of time at work, at the expense of his marriage. (37.8)
at face value
C1 If you accept something at face value because of the way it first looks or seems, you do so without thinking carefully about it.
Dictionary examples:
You can't just accept everything you read in the newspapers at face value. (30.5)
These results should not be taken at face value - careful analysis is required to assess their full implications. (56.0)
at a glance
C1 If you see or understand something at a glance, you see or understand it almost immediately.
Dictionary examples:
He could tell at a glance that something was wrong. (43.4)
at hand
C1 near in time or space
Dictionary examples:
Teachers are always close at hand to give help to any child who needs it. (20.5)
at the very least
C1 not less than, and probably much more than
Dictionary examples:
At the very least, you should apologize. (39.8)
We should earn $500 at the very least. (40.5)
at random
C1 chosen by chance
Dictionary examples:
Winners will be chosen at random. (33.5)
at times
C1 sometimes
Dictionary examples:
At times, I wish I didn't have to go to school. (17.5)
at first sight
C1 when you first see or hear about something or someone
Dictionary examples:
It may, at first sight, seem a surprising choice. (24.3)
at best
C2 used to show that the most positive way of considering something is still not good
Dictionary examples:
If he drops the course now, at best he’ll get an incomplete, and he could fail. (61.1)
at the best of times
C2 used to show that something is not good when it is the best it can be
Dictionary examples:
He's not exactly patient at the best of times. (22.0)
at a disadvantage
C2 having problems that other people do not have
Dictionary examples:
Being shy puts him at a disadvantage. (37.0)
at sb's expense
C2 in order to make someone look stupid
Dictionary examples:
Stop making jokes at my expense. (41.2)
at your fingertips
C2 If you have something at your fingertips, you can get it and use it very easily.
Dictionary examples:
He had all the information needed at his fingertips. (46.7)
at heart
C2 used to say what someone is really like
Dictionary examples:
I'm just a kid at heart. (14.3)
at issue
C2 most important in what is being discussed
Dictionary examples:
The point at issue is what is best for the child. (26.4)
at the latest
C2 used after a time or date to say that something could happen before but not after that time
Dictionary examples:
She said to be there by 8 o'clock at the latest. (13.7)
at length
C2 If you talk about something at length, you talk for a long time.
Dictionary examples:
We discussed both topics at length. (25.2)
be at liberty to do sth
C2 to be allowed to do something
Dictionary examples:
I'm not at liberty to discuss the matter at present. (36.6)
at a loss
C2 not knowing what to do
Dictionary examples:
I'm at a loss to explain his disappearance. (41.2)
at a loss for words
C2 not knowing what to say
Dictionary examples:
The question was unexpected and she was temporarily at a loss for words. (42.7)
be at the mercy of sb/sth
C2 to not be able to protect yourself from something or someone that you cannot control
Dictionary examples:
Farmers are often at the mercy of the weather. (53.5)
be at odds with sb/sth
C2 to not agree with someone or something
Dictionary examples:
The two brothers were always at odds. (29.5)
His remark was at odds with our report. (46.5)
be at a premium
C2 If something useful is at a premium, there is not enough of it.
Dictionary examples:
Time is at a premium just before the start of exams. (56.8)
at this rate
C2 used before saying what will happen if a situation continues in the same way
Dictionary examples:
At this rate we're not going to be there till midnight. (40.7)
at any rate
C2 used before saying one fact that is certain in a situation that you are generally not certain about
Dictionary examples:
Well, at any rate we need her to be there. (27.8)
at your own risk
C2 If you do something at your own risk, you are completely responsible for anything bad that might happen because of it.
Dictionary examples:
Customers may leave vehicles here at their own risk. (31.3)
at the tender age of 8/17/25, etc.
C2 at the young age of 8/17/25, etc.
Dictionary examples:
She first appeared on stage at the tender age of 12. (49.2)
at one time or another
C2 used to talk about an occasion in the past without saying exactly which occasion it was
Dictionary examples:
Most of us have made a similar mistake at one time or another. (28.8)
be at stake
C2 If something is at stake, it is in a situation where it might be lost or damaged.
Dictionary examples:
We have to act quickly - people's lives are at stake. (48.9)
at (PLACE)
A1 used to show the place or position of something
Dictionary examples:
The elephant is at the bus stop. (0.0)
The fish is at the library. (0.0)
The pizza is at the gym. (0.0)
She's at home/work. (8.2)
We met at the station. (11.4)
We'll meet you at the entrance. (15.6)
We spent the afternoon at a tennis match. (18.3)
There's someone at the door. (21.6)
She's sitting at the table in the corner. (26.2)
She was standing at the top of the stairs. (49.4)
at (TIME)
A1 used to show the time something happens
Dictionary examples:
I sleep at my desk. (0.0)
The alarm rings at 7 am. (0.0)
My cat meows at 5 am. (0.0)
Are you free at lunchtime? (14.1)
There's a meeting at 2:30 this afternoon. (18.3)
I'm busy at the moment - can you call back later? (20.7)
At no point did the company do anything illegal. (31.8)
In theory, women can still have children at the age of 50. (32.0)
at (DIRECTION)
A1 toward or in the direction of
Dictionary examples:
The baby laughed at his funny face. (0.0)
The girl made faces at her broccoli. (0.0)
The cat meowed at the empty food bowl. (0.0)
"Look at me! Look at me!" called the little girl. (6.9)
She smiled at me. (11.8)
They waved at us as we drove by. (31.3)
at (E-MAIL ADDRESS)
A1 the @ symbol, used in e-mail addresses to separate the name of a person, department, etc. from the name of the company
Dictionary examples:
funny.cat at meow dot com (0.0)
hungry.me at food dot now (0.0)
angry.teacher at homework dot now (0.0)
dictionary at cambridge dot org (57.3)
at (CAUSE)
A2 used to show the cause of something, especially a feeling
Dictionary examples:
My mom danced at the news of my good grades. (0.0)
The students cheered at the announcement of a snow day. (0.0)
I laughed at my dad's attempt to use social media. (0.0)
We were surprised at the news. (19.8)
I was quite excited at the prospect. (25.9)
Why does no one ever laugh at my jokes? (39.4)
at (ABILITY)
B1 used after an adjective to show a person's ability to do something
Dictionary examples:
I'm terrible at cooking. I once set water on fire! (0.0)
I'm an expert at forgetting names. Nice to meet you... um... you! (0.0)
He's talented at misunderstanding instructions. He washed the car with ketchup! (0.0)
I'm not very good at skiing. (17.1)
He's very talented at math. (20.7)
at least
B1 even if nothing else happens or is true
Dictionary examples:
I failed my math test, but at least I aced my nap! (0.0)
My jokes are bad, but at least I make myself laugh! (0.0)
I can't cook, but at least I can make a mean sandwich! (0.0)
If you don't have time to clean the whole house, at least make sure the kitchen is clean. (54.0)
at least
B1 something that you say when you are telling someone about something good in a bad situation
Dictionary examples:
My computer crashed, but at least I backed up my files yesterday! (0.0)
I forgot my lunch, but at least the vending machine has chocolate! (0.0)
I failed my driving test, but at least I didn't crash the car! (0.0)
It's a small house but at least there's a backyard. (47.1)
at least
B2 used to reduce the effect of a statement
Dictionary examples:
I've met the President - at least, he shook my hand once. (41.9)
at (AMOUNT)
B2 used to show a price, temperature, rate, speed, etc.
Dictionary examples:
He was driving at 120 mph when the police spotted him. (63.5)
at the same time
B1 If two things happen at the same time, they happen together.
Dictionary examples:
We all screamed 'Surprise!' at the same time, but the birthday boy wasn't there. (0.0)
The whole class yawned at the same time during the boring lecture. (0.0)
My stomach growled and the teacher called my name at the same time. (0.0)
We arrived at the same time. (23.9)
at all
B1 used for emphasis in questions or negative statements, to mean in any way or of any type
Dictionary examples:
Can you cook at all? Or do you just order takeout for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? (0.0)
Do you exercise at all? Or is lifting the TV remote your daily workout? (0.0)
He hasn't cleaned his room at all. I think something's growing under his bed! (0.0)
He hasn't changed at all. (4.9)
Are you sure I can't help at all? (10.2)
at least
A2 as much as, or more than, a number, amount, distance, etc.
Dictionary examples:
I check my phone at least 50 times during class! (0.0)
I need at least three cups of coffee to wake up! (0.0)
I say 'um' at least 20 times during presentations! (0.0)
You'll have to wait at least an hour. (34.3)
It will cost at least $500. (39.1)
at once
B1 immediately
Dictionary examples:
The room fell silent at once when the boss entered. (0.0)
The students all started talking at once when the teacher left. (0.0)
I knew at once it was a bad idea when he said 'Trust me'. (0.0)
I knew at once that I'd like it here. (29.0)
at first
B1 at the beginning of a situation or period of time
Dictionary examples:
At first, I was excited about my new diet. Then I realized it involved eating vegetables. (0.0)
At first, I thought learning a new language was easy. Then I tried to pronounce 'squirrel'. (0.0)
At first, I was proud of my 1000-piece puzzle. Then I noticed the dog ate one piece. (0.0)
At first I thought she was unfriendly, but actually she's just shy. (32.6)
at (long) last
B1 finally
Dictionary examples:
At long last, I understood a joke in English! (0.0)
At last, my computer stopped crashing every five minutes! (0.0)
At long last, I learned to cook something other than instant noodles! (0.0)
At last, I've found a pair of jeans that actually fit. (22.5)
at his/its, etc. best
B1 at the highest level of achievement or quality
Dictionary examples:
The internet is at its best when you're trying to study. (0.0)
My excuses are at their best when I'm late for work. (0.0)
My phone battery is at its best when I need to make a call. (0.0)
This article is an example of journalism at its best. (34.9)