# at the expense of sb/sth

idiom · CEFR C1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/at-the-expense-of-sb-sth
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

when you do something that causes harm or loss to someone or something else in order to succeed.

## Examples

- He succeeded at the expense of his friends.
- The company increased its profits at the expense of the environment by ignoring safety regulations.
- The politician sought to advance his own career at the expense of the public trust, eventually alienating the very voters who had once supported his platform.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.