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

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In each case, however, populist conservatives argue that elites have used democratic and transnational institutions to advance their own interests and causes at the expense of ordinary people. Nate Cohn, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024 And this is precisely what sets Armani apart—his refusal to chase trends at the expense of identity. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 Analysts worry that going that route would effectively tether crypto into the wider U.S. economy at the expense of smaller crypto owners. Christopher White, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024 Don’t prioritize your winter wedding vision at the expense of your guests’ comfort. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for at the expense of 

Dictionary Entries Near 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 Dec. 2024.

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