managed at cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "managed at cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to budgeting, finance, or project management, indicating that something is being handled or executed without profit, strictly covering expenses. Example: "The project was managed at cost to ensure that all resources were utilized efficiently without exceeding the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are combing their mountains of computerized information looking for patterns in diseases like asthma and diabetes, that could, in theory, be managed at lower cost.

The New York Times

In El Salvador, local communities managed at great cost (three campaigners were murdered) to persuade the government to refuse permission for a vast gold mine which threatened to contaminate their water supplies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Short-time work was the instrument with which this could be managed at reasonable costs.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Next to the reduction of overtime hours and other instruments of working time flexibility if available at the firm level (e.g., working time accounts), short-time work was the instrument through which this could be managed at reasonable costs.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

These two components must be anticipated and managed at all costs both before and during transport (stabilise the patient beforehand, anticipate sedation) in order to limit the onset of any physiological decline that may lead to an AE (patient-related or otherwise).

Critical Care

Even more disruptive, maybe, is that E.T.F.'s can often replicate mutual fund portfolios, actively or passively managed, at considerably less cost.

The New York Times

The same drama played out in Iraq, but there the process was managed, at a huge cost, by an American midwife — managed enough so that the communities were able to write a new, rudimentary social contract on how to live together and, thereby, give the future a chance to bury the past.

The New York Times

In our opinion, size is important, too, if a fund is to be managed at a reasonable cost to the fund holders.

Forbes

Leff and colleagues demonstrated clearly that large numbers of persons seen in an ED who were diagnosed with pneumonia, COPD, congestive heart failure and cellulitis could be managed at home for less cost and with shorter periods of acute illness [ 41].

BMC Health Services Research

For example, riding schools in the LIU-group have horses with a higher median age and more years at the riding school, while the horses have been managed at a relatively low veterinary cost for several years.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Participants from all over the world can participate in a trial managed at a single site, decreasing costs and potentially increasing the equity of access to medical research.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "managed at cost", ensure you clarify what specific costs are included to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify if it covers labor, materials, or overhead.

Common error

Don't assume that something "managed at cost" is of lower quality. It simply means there's no profit margin, not necessarily a compromise on standards or effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed at cost" functions as a modifier describing how a particular activity, project, or service is handled financially. It indicates that the activity is conducted without seeking profit, solely covering the necessary expenses. Ludwig AI confirms this follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "managed at cost" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes an activity conducted without profit, covering only the necessary expenses. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for professional contexts, particularly in business, news, and scientific communications, where transparency and efficient resource management are important. While alternatives like "operated at cost" or "administered at cost" may be used depending on the context, understanding the specific implications of "at cost" is crucial to avoid misinterpretations regarding quality or financial expectations. Ensure clear communication about which costs are included to maximize transparency and trust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operated at cost

Focuses on the operational aspect, implying that the operation is run solely to cover expenses without generating profit.

administered at cost

Highlights the administrative aspect, suggesting that the administration or management is done without adding extra fees.

handled at cost

Emphasizes the handling or processing aspect, indicating that services are provided at the base cost without markup.

run on a non-profit basis

Clarifies the non-profit nature of the management, ensuring no profits are made.

managed without profit

Directly states the absence of profit in the management process.

covered expenses only

Highlights that only the necessary expenses were taken into account, with no additional charges.

budgeted at cost

Relates specifically to budgeting, ensuring that the budget only includes the necessary costs.

economically managed

Suggests that the management is done efficiently and economically, with a focus on saving costs.

cost-effectively managed

Emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of the management, achieving goals with minimal expenditure.

managed within budget

Focuses on adhering to a set budget, ensuring that expenses do not exceed the allocated amount.

FAQs

How can I use "managed at cost" in a sentence?

You can use "managed at cost" to describe a project or service that is provided without profit, such as, "The charity project was "managed at cost" to maximize the funds going directly to beneficiaries."

What are some alternatives to "managed at cost"?

Alternatives include phrases like "operated at cost", "administered at cost", or "run on a non-profit basis", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "managed at cost" or "managed for free"?

"Managed at cost" implies that expenses are covered but no profit is made, while "managed for free" suggests that no costs are covered either. The better phrase depends on whether there are expenses involved. If there are no expenses is better "managed for free", otherwise is better "managed at cost".

What does it mean for a project to be "managed at cost"?

It means the project's expenses are covered, but there's no profit margin for the manager or organization. All funds are used to execute the project itself. It can be considered as similar to "run on a non-profit basis".