at our expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at our expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being done at a cost to the speaker or their group, often implying that the speaker is bearing the financial burden. Example: "The company decided to send all employees to the conference at our expense, ensuring everyone could benefit from the experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At OUR expense.

Huffington Post

Have a hearty laugh at our expense.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Norwegians get rich at our expense.

The Guardian

... that break the rules at our expense.

The Washington Post

Your endearment of India may come at our expense.

The New York Times

She can't be lying to the world at our expense".

The Guardian

If only they didn't have to learn at our expense.

The New York Times

Or a complacent island of fat sunburnt accountants living it up at our expense?

Independent

The growing list of add-on fees would be comical were they not at our expense.

The New York Times - Travel

Obama wants to make an agreement at our expense so he'll go down in history".

Independent

He didn't appear to crave validation or to be exorcizing some childhood memory at our expense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at our expense", ensure the context is clear about what is causing the expense or disadvantage. Providing specific details will strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "at our expense" without clearly defining who "our" refers to. Ambiguity can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your message. Be specific about the group or entity bearing the cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at our expense" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate under whose burden or cost something occurs. Ludwig confirms its frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at our expense" is a prevalent prepositional phrase employed to signify that a cost, disadvantage, or sacrifice is shouldered by a specific entity. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent application, particularly within news and media contexts. Its neutral register renders it suitable for diverse scenarios, though clarity regarding the referent of "our" is paramount to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as ""at our cost"" or ""to our detriment"" offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts. Ludwig AI validates these conclusions, emphasizing the phrase's consistent and correct usage across numerous sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at our cost

Replaces 'expense' with 'cost', a direct synonym focusing on the financial burden.

at our charge

Similar to 'at our cost', but may imply that the expense is something being billed or invoiced.

at the expense of our well-being

Highlights that something is being achieved by compromising our well-being.

to our detriment

Focuses on the negative impact or harm rather than just the financial cost.

to our disadvantage

Highlights the unfavorable position resulting from the situation.

on our dime

An informal idiom emphasizing that we are paying for something.

at our loss

Emphasizes that something is being lost, whether financially or otherwise.

at the price of our well-being

Highlights that something is being achieved by compromising our wellbeing.

at the sacrifice of our interests

Focuses on the loss of benefits or advantages.

financed by us

Highlights the financial support provided by us.

FAQs

What does "at our expense" mean?

The phrase "at our expense" means that something is costing us money, effort, or some other kind of disadvantage. It indicates that we are bearing the burden or consequences of a particular action or situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "at our expense"?

Use "at our expense" when you want to emphasize that a specific group is incurring a cost or suffering a negative consequence as a result of something. It's often used to express disapproval or concern about the situation.

What are some alternatives to saying "at our expense"?

You can use alternatives like "at our cost", "to our detriment", or "on our dime" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "at our expense" formal or informal?

"At our expense" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "on our dime" are more informal.