at the expense of vs at the cost of

Both "at the expense of" and "at the cost of" are correct phrases in English. They are often used interchangeably to indicate that something is achieved or gained by sacrificing something else. The choice between the two depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1836 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is achieved or gained by sacrificing something else.

"at the expense of"

This phrase is used to show that one thing is gained or achieved by sacrificing or harming another thing. It is often used in contexts where there is a trade-off or negative consequence involved.

Examples:

He succeeded at the expense of his personal life.
The company grew rapidly, but at the expense of quality.
She achieved her goals, but at the expense of her health.
The project was completed at the expense of the team's morale.
The politician gained popularity at the expense of his integrity.

Show examples from the web [+]

Congratulations, you have been given a luxury penthouse at the expense of the British taxpayer.
All these developments are taking place at the expense of Cypriot consumers and are clearly illegal.
She became your focus at the expense of your own ambition.
But not at the expense of our cause.
I don't want to be stylish at the expense of comfort.
But not at the expense of your health.
However, this change in behaviour should not be at the expense of consumer protection.
A small elite lives in great luxury at the expense of the poor population.
Many companies are thus reorganising at the expense of employees and the state.
That is what is also called meeting each other halfway at the expense of fisheries.
The Commission wants to increase its power at the expense of political decision-makers.
There can be no upfront concessions at the expense of human rights.
These enterprises make enormous profits at the expense of individual consumers and producers.
This agency will of course be set up at the expense of European taxpayers.
It appears that the Commission wishes to achieve an increase in efficiency mainly at the expense of qualified workers.
Haste comes at the expense of quality.
The EU's policy on GMOs favours multinationals at the expense of consumers.
Such systematic restriction of multilingualism benefits entrepreneurs at the expense of consumers.
But you are defending this girl at the expense of the team.
Enhanced judicial cooperation must not be at the expense of the rights of the defendant.

Alternatives:

at the cost of
by sacrificing
by harming
through the sacrifice of
by giving up

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is achieved or gained by sacrificing something else.

"at the cost of"

This phrase is used in a similar way to 'at the expense of,' indicating that something is achieved or gained by sacrificing or harming something else. It can be used interchangeably with 'at the expense of.'

Examples:

The project was completed at the cost of quality.
She succeeded at the cost of her personal life.
The company expanded at the cost of employee satisfaction.
He achieved his dream at the cost of his relationships.
The decision was made at the cost of public opinion.

Show examples from the web [+]

They won the battle at the cost of many lives.
This option renders a better image at the cost of increased calculation.
However, this must not come at the cost of social uncertainty.
Free movement within the European Union must not be implemented at the cost of the EU's erecting barriers against the surrounding world.
But it can't be at the cost of the other things we are trying to achieve here.
Once students' rights come at the cost of others, it is my job to intervene.
Instead, debt-financed public investment will produce a short-run stimulus, at the cost of longer-term fiscal stability.
Private capital maximises profits, even at the cost of neglecting safety measures.
It will, however, be at the cost of many innocent victims and significant collateral damage in Iraq and the surrounding area.
Furthermore, I support Mr Corbett's reform, but not at the cost of reducing the political initiative of the small groups.
Only a few countries with significant democratic deficits seek to monitor the messages and contents available to their nationals, at the cost of permanent impairment to freedom.
We certainly want a common asylum system, but not at the cost of a utopian harmonisation.
We all want victory, but not at the cost of innocent lives.
Rapid learning at the cost of long-term memory.
I've got it at the cost of eternal suffering.
Two: I must negotiate with the Unions at the cost of stooping to compromises.
He succeeded in business at the cost of his health.
Either one comes at the cost of objectivity.
You're talking paradise at the cost of genocide.
Having done so at the cost of your comfort.

Alternatives:

at the expense of
by sacrificing
by harming
through the sacrifice of
by giving up

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at the expense of vs at the cost of

"at the expense of"

"at the cost of"

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