at somebody's expense

at (one's) expense

1. 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

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