At Idioms (3)

(English Idioms & Sayings)

at random

- without sequence or order
The members of the team were chosen at random from among the regular players.

at risk

- to be in danger
The children were at risk of getting sick when the disease spread in the school.

at sea

- to be on the sea, to be away on a voyage on the ocean
When my grandfather was a young man he was at sea for several months.

at sea (about something)

- to be confused, to be lost
Most of the class was at sea when the difficult theory was explained.

at sixes and sevens

- to be lost and bewildered
We were at sixes and sevens when we heard that the grocery store would close.

at (someone's) beck and call

- to be always ready to serve somebody
His eldest daughter is always at his beck and call when he spends an evening at home.

at (someone's) earliest convenience

- as soon as it is convenient for someone
I went to the bank at my earliest convenience to speak to the bank manager.

at (someone's) service

- to be ready to help someone in any way possible
A member of the hotel staff was at our service during our stay.

at stake

- to be able to be won or lost, to be at risk
Much money was at stake during the negotiations for the oil pipeline.

at the appointed time/hour

- at the announced time
We went to meet the legal advisor at the appointed time.

at the bottom of the hour

- on the half hour (10:30, 11:30 etc.)
At the bottom of the hour they opened the store for the customers.

at the bottom of the ladder

- to be at the lowest level of pay and status
I had to start at the bottom of the ladder at my new job.

at the crack of dawn

- when the first light of the day appears
We left for our holiday at the crack of dawn.

at the drop of a hat

- immediately and without any pressure
My friends are willing to help me at the drop of a hat.

at the eleventh hour

- at the last possible moment
The company and union settled the strike at the eleventh hour.

at the end of one`s rope

- to be at the limit of one`s ability to cope
I am at the end of my rope about what to do about my current situation at work.

at the end of the day

- when everything else has been taken into consideration
At the end of the day, it was impossible to continue with our plans to build the house.

at the expense of (someone or something)

- to be to the harm of (someone or something)
The man worked very hard and made much money but it was at the expense of his family life and health.

at the latest

- no later than
The tour was going to start at noon at the latest.

at the present time

- now, at present
At the present time there are no extra helpers available.

at the top of one's lungs

- with a very loud voice
I cried out for my friend at the top of my lungs.

at the top of the hour

- at the exact beginning of the hour (12:00, 1:00 etc.)
The radio news always starts at the top of the hour.

at this juncture

- at the present time
We were told that at this juncture there was no point to continue with the meeting.

at this stage of the game

- currently, at the current point in some event
At this stage of the game it was not possible to change the plans for the class trip.

at times

- sometimes, occasionally
At times, our teacher is very nice but at other times she is very mean.

at will

- whenever one wants, freely
The little boy was able to do what he wanted at will.

Posted by Learning English through Idioms and Sayings