aside from someone or something not includ-
ing someone or something. Aside from
a small bank account, I have no money at
all. Aside from Mary, I have no friends.
ask for something to do something that will
cause trouble. (Also literal.) Don’t talk
to me that way! You’re really asking for it.
Anyone who acts like that is just asking
for a good talking to.
ask for the moon to ask for too much; to
make great demands. When you’re try-
ing to get a job, it’s unwise to ask for the
moon. Please lend me the money. I’m
not asking for the moon!
ask someone out to ask a person for a date.
Mary hopes that John will ask her out.
T John doesn’t want to ask out his best
friend’s girl.
assault and battery a violent attack [upon
someone] followed by a beating. (A crim-
inal charge.) Max was charged with two
counts of assault and battery. Dave does
not go out at night because he does not
want to be a victim of assault and battery.
assault the ears [for sound or speech] to
be very loud or persistent. That loud
music assaults the ears! I can’t hear with
all that talk assaulting my ears.
assemble a case (against someone) Go to
build a case (against someone).
assume liability to accept the responsibil-
ity for paying a cost. Mr. Smith as-
sumed liability for his son’s student loans.
The store assumed liability for the in-
jured customer’s hospital bill.
at all without distinguishing; without qual-
ification. (See the examples for word or-
der variations.) It really wasn’t very cold
at all. It really wasn’t at all cold. Tom
will eat anything at all. Jane isn’t at all
hungry. Grandma was always ready to
go anywhere at all.
at all costs and at any cost regardless of
the difficulty or cost; no matter what.
I intend to have that car at all costs. I’ll
get there by six o’clock at all costs. Mary
was going to get that job at any cost.
at a loss (for words) unable to speak;
speechless; befuddled. I was so sur-
prised that I was at a loss for words. Tom
was terribly confused—really at a loss.
at an early date soon; some day soon.
The note said, “Please call me at an early
date.” You’re expected to return the form
to the office at an early date.
at any cost Go to at all costs.
at a set time at a particular time; at an as-
signed time. Each person has to show
up at a set time. Do I have to be there
at a set time, or can I come whenever I
want?
at a sitting at one time; during one period.
(Refers to an activity that takes place
while a person is seated.) The restau-
rant could feed only sixty people at a sit-
ting. I can read about 300 pages at a
sitting.
at a snail’s pace very slowly. When you
watch a clock, time seems to move at a
snail’s pace. You always eat at a snail’s
pace. I’m tired of waiting for you.
at a stretch continuously; without stop-
ping. We all had to do eight hours of
duty at a stretch. The baby doesn’t sleep
for more than three hours at a stretch.
at best and at most in the best view; in
the most positive judgment; as the best
one can say. I believe her to be totally
negligent. Her actions were careless at best.
At best we found their visit pleasantly
short. The dinner was not at all pleas-
ant. At best the food was not burned.
At most she was careless, but not criminal.
We found their visit pleasingly short at
most.
at close range very near; in close proxim-
ity. (Usually used in regard to shooting.)
The hunter fired at the deer at close
range. The powder burns tell us that the
gun was fired at close range.
at cross-purposes with opposing pur-
poses; with goals that interfere with each
other. We are arguing at cross-purposes.
We aren’t even discussing the same thing.
Bill and Tom are working at cross-
purposes. They’ll never get the job done
right.
at death’s door near death. (Euphemistic.)
I was so ill that I was at death’s door.
The family dog was at death’s door for
three days, and then it finally died.
at ease relaxed and comfortable.
feel at ease driving when there is a lot of
traffic. Mary is most at ease when she’s
near the sea.
at every turn everywhere; everywhere one
looks. There is a new problem at every
Life holds new adventures at
every turn.
at face value from outward appearance;
from what something first appears to be.
(From the value printed on the “face” of
a coin or bank note.) Don’t just accept
her offer at face value. Think of the impli-
cations. Joan tends to take people at face
value and so she is always getting hurt.
at first initially; at the beginning. He was
shy at first. Then he became more friendly.
At first we chose the red one. Later we
switched to the blue one.
at first glance and at first blush when
first examined; at an early stage.
first glance, the problem appeared quite
simple. Later we learned just how complex
it really was. He appeared quite healthy
at first glance. At first blush, she ap-
peared to be quite old.
(at) full blast using full power; as loudly as
possible. The neighbors had their tele-
visions on at full blast. The car radio
was on full blast. We couldn’t hear what
the driver was saying.
at full speed and at full tilt as fast as pos-
sible. The motor was running at full
speed. John finished his running at
full speed. Things are now operating
at full tilt.
at full tilt Go to at full speed.
at half-mast halfway up or down. (Pri-
marily referring to flags. Can be used for
things other than flags as a joke.) The
f lag was f lying at half-mast because the
general had died. Americans f ly f lags
at half-mast on Memorial Day. The lit-
tle boy ran out of the house with his pants
at half-mast.
at hazard risked; in danger; at risk. He
is not willing to have much of his money
at hazard in the stock market. Your en-
tire life is at hazard unless you wear a hel-
met when you ride your bicycle.
at home with someone or something comfort-
able with someone or something; com-
fortable doing something. (Also literal.
See also feel at home.) Tom is very
much at home with my parents. Sally
seems to be very much at home with her
car. Mary seems to be at home with her
job.
at large 1. free; uncaptured. (Usually said
of criminals running loose.) At noon
the day after the robbery, the thieves were
still at large. There is a murderer at
large in the city. 2. in general; according
to a general sample. Truck drivers at
large don’t like the new law. Students
at large felt that the rule was too strict. 3.
representing the whole group rather than
its subsections. (Always refers to a special
kind of elective office.) He ran for rep-
resentative at large. She represented
shareholders at large on the governing
board.
at last Go to at (long) last.
at least 1. no less than; no fewer than.
There were at least four people there that
I knew. I want to spend at least three
weeks in Mexico. 2. anyway; in spite of
difficulties. At least we had a good eve-
ning, even though the afternoon was rainy.
At least we came away with some of our
money left.
at leisure 1. resting; not working. What
do you usually do when you are at leisure?
During the summer when you are at
leisure, you ought to play golf. 2. and at
one’s leisure at one’s convenience.
Choose one or the other at your leisure.
Please drop by at your leisure.
at length 1. after some time; finally. At
length, the roses bloomed and the tomatoes
ripened. And at length, the wizard
spoke. 2. and at some length for quite
a long time. He spoke on and on at some
length. He described the history of his
village at length.
at loose ends restless and unsettled; un-
employed. Just before school starts, all
the children are at loose ends. When
Tom is home on the weekends, he’s always
at loose ends. Jane has been at loose ends
ever since she lost her job.
at most Go to at best.
at night during the night. Most people
sleep at night. Mary studies at night.
at odds (with someone) in opposition to
someone; at loggerheads (with someone).
Mary is always at odds with her father
about how late she can stay out. John
and his father are always at odds too.
at once immediately; at this very moment.
John, come here at once! Bring me my
coffee at once! Shall I do it at once or
wait until morning?
at one fell swoop and in one fell swoop
in a single incident; as a single event.
(This phrase preserves the old word fell,
meaning “terrible” or “deadly.”) The
party guests ate up all the snacks at one fell
swoop. When the stock market crashed,
many large fortunes were wiped out in one
fell swoop.
at one’s best in the best of health; display-
ing the most civilized behavior. (Often in
the negative.) I’m not at my best when
I’m angry. He’s at his best after a good
nap.
at one’s leisure Go to at leisure.
at one’s wit’s end at the limits of one’s men-
tal resources. I’m at my wit’s end with
this problem. I cannot figure it out. Tom
could do no more. He was at his wit’s end.
at peace 1. peaceful; relaxed; happy. I
am always at peace when I sit in my rock-
ing chair. When the warm breeze is
blowing, I am at peace. 2. dead. It was
a long illness, but she is at peace now. At
last, Uncle Tom is at peace.
at play [at this moment] involved in play-
ing. The children are at play, and I am
doing household chores. Whether I am
at work or at play, I try to be pleasant to
people.
at present now; at this point in time.
are not able to do any more at present.
We may be able to lend you money next
week, but not at present.
at random without sequence or order.
Sally picked four names at random from
the telephone book. The gunman walked
into the crowded restaurant and fired at
random. Jane will read almost anything.
She selects four novels at random at the
library each week and reads them all.
at sea on the sea; away on a voyage on the
ocean. (See also (all) at sea (about some-
thing).) The ship is at sea now, and you
can’t disembark. I spent many happy
days at sea on my cruise.
at sea (about something) Go to (all) at sea
(about something).
at sea level located at the bottom of the
sea. It is easier to breathe at sea level
than in the mountains. Boats on the
ocean are at sea level, but those on rivers
are not.
at sixes and sevens disorderly; lost and
bewildered; at loose ends. Mrs. Smith
is at sixes and sevens since the death of her
husband. Bill is always at sixes and sev-
ens when he’s home by himself.
at some length Go to at length.
at someone’s beck and call ready to obey
someone. What makes you think I wait
around here at your beck and call? I live
here too, you know! It was a fine hotel.
There were dozens of maids and waiters at
our beck and call.
at someone’s doorstep and on someone’s
doorstep in someone’s care; as some-
one’s responsibility. Why do you always
have to lay your problems at my doorstep?
I shall put this issue on someone else’s
doorstep. I don’t want it on my doorstep.
at someone’s earliest convenience as soon
as it is easy or convenient for someone.
(This is also a polite way of saying im-
mediately.) Please stop by my office at
your earliest convenience. Bill, please
have the oil changed at your earliest
convenience.
at some time sharp exactly at a named time.
You must be here at noon sharp. The
plane is expected to arrive at seven forty-
five sharp.
at stake to be won or lost; at risk; hanging
in the balance. That’s a very risky in-
vestment. How much money is at stake?
I have everything at stake on this wager.
at that rate in that manner; at that speed.
(See also at this rate.) If things keep
progressing at that rate, we’ll be rich by
next year. At that rate we’ll never get the
money that is owed us.
at the appointed time at the announced
or assigned time. The cab pulled up in
the driveway at the appointed time. We
all met at the hotel at the appointed time.
at the bottom of the hour on the half
hour; the opposite of at the top of the
hour. (Typically heard on television or the
radio. Refers to the minute hand on a
clock.) Hear the news on WNAG at the
bottom of the hour. We will have an in-
terview with Harry Smith at the bottom of
the hour.
at the bottom of the ladder at the low-
est level of pay and status. Most peo-
ple start work at the bottom of the ladder.
When Ann got fired, she had to start all
over again at the bottom of the ladder.
at the break of dawn Go to at the crack
of dawn.
at the crack of dawn and at the break
of dawn at the time of the earliest light
of the day. Jane was always up at the
crack of dawn. The birds start singing
at the break of dawn.
at the drop of a hat immediately and
without urging. John was always ready
to go fishing at the drop of a hat. If you
need help, just call on me. I can come at
the drop of a hat.
at the end of nowhere at a remote place;
at some distance from civilization.
They live way out in the country at the end
of nowhere. The police will never find
us here at the end of nowhere.
at the end of one’s rope and at the end
of one’s tether at the limits of one’s en-
durance. I’m at the end of my rope! I
just can’t go on this way! These kids are
driving me out of my mind. I’m at the end
of my tether.
at the end of one’s tether Go to at the end
of one’s rope.
at the end of the day when everything
else has been taken into consideration.
(Also literal.) At the end of the day you
will have to decide where you want to live.
The committee interviewed many ap-
plicants for the post, but at the end of the
day made no appointment.
at the expense of someone or something to
the detriment of someone or something;
to the harm of someone or something.
He had a good laugh at the expense of his
brother. He took a job in a better place
at the expense of a larger income.
at the forefront (of something) and in the
forefront (of something) the most impor-
tant place; the place of greatest activity.
I interviewed Max Brown, the director
who is in the forefront of the movie in-
dustry. The university I go to is at the
forefront of computer technology.
at the height of something at the most in-
tense or forceful aspect of something.
At the height of his career, Tom was known
around the world. At the height of the
party, there were 50 people present.
at the helm (of something) in the position
of being in control of something. (Also
literal for ships and boats.) The presi-
dent is at the helm of the company.
Things will go well with Anne at the helm.
at the last gasp at the very last; at the last
chance; at the last minute. (Refers to
someone’s last breath before death.)
She finally showed up at the last gasp,
bringing the papers that were needed.
We got there at the last gasp, just before our
names were called.
at the outset at the beginning. (See also
from the outset.) It seemed like a very
simple problem at the outset. At the out-
set, they were very happy. Then they had
money problems.
at the point of doing something Go to on the
point of doing something.
at the present time and at this point (in
time) now; at present. (Used often as a
wordy replacement for now.) We don’t
know the location of the stolen car at the
present time. The tomatoes are doing
nicely at the present time. At this point
in time, we feel very sad about his death.
Yes, it’s sad, but there is nothing we can
do at this point.
at the rear of something located at the back
part of something. I keep my tools at
the rear of my garage. There’s a creek
at the rear of my property.
at the same time nevertheless; however.
(Also literal.) Bill was able to make the
car payment. At the same time, he was
very angry about the bill. We agree to
your demands. At the same time, we object
strongly to your methods.
at the top of one’s lungs Go to at the top
of one’s voice.
at the zenith of something at the highest
point of something; at the pinnacle of
something. At the zenith of his career,
the teacher died suddenly. The scientist
was at the zenith of her career when she
made her discovery.
at this juncture at this point in time; at
this pause. There is little more that I can
say at this juncture. We can, if you wish,
at this juncture, request a change in venue.
at this point (in time) Go to at the pres-
ent time.
at this rate at this speed. (Compare this
with at any rate and at that rate.)
Hurry up! We’ll never get there at this rate.
At this rate, all the food will be gone be-
fore we get there.
at this stage Go to at this stage of the
game.
at this stage of the game and at this
stage at the current point in some event;
currently. (The first phrase is informal.)
We’ll have to wait and see. There isn’t
much we can do at this stage of the game.
At this stage, we are better off not call-
ing the doctor.
at will whenever one wants; freely. (Com-
pare this with at liberty.) You’re free to
come and go at will. The soldiers were
told to fire their guns at will. You can
eat anything you want at will.
at work 1. working (at something); busy
(with something). Tom is at work on
his project. He’ll be finished in a minute.
Don’t disturb me when I’m busy at
work. 2. at one’s place of work. I’m
sorry to call you at work, but this is im-
portant. She’s at work now. She’ll be
home at supper time.
at worst Go to at (the) worst.
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