at a cost
idiom
: by giving up something else
He had achieved fame, but at a cost; he'd lost many friends and no longer talked to anyone in his family.
Examples of at a cost in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Renowned for its chocolate, fresh Alpine air, and stunning natural beauty, Switzerland simply does things well—but at a cost.
—
Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Only 7,744 students qualified to receive one, at a cost to the state of about $55 million.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The Ralston Road work was completed in 2024 at a cost of $24 million.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The five blocks of Watt Avenue between Interstate 80 and Roseville Road have been resurfaced and widened at a cost of more than $20 million.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at a cost
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Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Only 7,744 students qualified to receive one, at a cost to the state of about $55 million.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The Ralston Road work was completed in 2024 at a cost of $24 million.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The five blocks of Watt Avenue between Interstate 80 and Roseville Road have been resurfaced and widened at a cost of more than $20 million.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at a cost
Cite this Entry
“At a cost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20a%20cost. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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