at (one's) expense

at (one's) expense

1. Falling under one's financial responsibility. Once I learned that the trip was at my expense, I decided not to go.
2. To one's detriment or disadvantage. I was furious when I heard the other kids telling jokes at my little brother's expense.
See also: expense
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at someone's expense

COMMON If someone laughs or makes a joke at your expense, they laugh or make a joke about you. Danny told them about my accident and they all had a good laugh at my expense. There was plenty of laughter, most of it at my expense.
See also: expense
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

at somebody’s exˈpense


1 paid for by somebody: When Joe is travelling at the firm’s expense, he goes first class.
2 (of jokes, etc.) making somebody seem foolish: They all had a good laugh at Pete’s expense.
See also: expense
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

expense

n. a baby; a child. (see also deduction.) The little expense just cries, craps, and chows.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

at (one's) expense

To one's detriment or chagrin: telling jokes at my expense.
See also: expense
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • at expense
  • at somebody's expense
  • at someone's expense
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • be in (one's) good graces
  • be in somebody's good graces
  • be in someone's good graces
  • (one's) day in court
  • be remembered as (something)