at the expense of
idiom
: in a way that harms (something or someone)
Malls flourished at the expense of small stores downtown.
He argues that the tax cut will benefit the rich at the expense of the poor.
Examples of at the expense of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, there’s a fine line between taking note of the key details and trying to get down every word said at the expense of your attention.
—
Jim Becker, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
The British Treasury and the British taxpayer grumbled at the expense of maintaining dominance.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
Critics have argued the Trump administration is conceding too much to the crypto industry at the expense of protecting consumers and retail investors.
—Niket Nishant, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Chinese officials have decried the US tariffs and threatened to retaliate if the US reaches deals with other trade partners at the expense of Chinese interests – a sign that Beijing sees the US as using agreements with other countries as a means to squeeze its economy.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
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Jim Becker, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
The British Treasury and the British taxpayer grumbled at the expense of maintaining dominance.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
Critics have argued the Trump administration is conceding too much to the crypto industry at the expense of protecting consumers and retail investors.
—Niket Nishant, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Chinese officials have decried the US tariffs and threatened to retaliate if the US reaches deals with other trade partners at the expense of Chinese interests – a sign that Beijing sees the US as using agreements with other countries as a means to squeeze its economy.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the expense of
Cite this Entry
“At the expense of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20expense%20of. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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