at the pleasure of (someone)
idiom
—used to say that something is done or can be done because someone wants it to be done
I serve at the pleasure of the president, and I will continue to serve as long as the president wants me to.
Examples of at the pleasure of (someone) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The responses to the Hamas attack have spurred discussion not just among council members, but also some of the city commissioners who serve at the pleasure of Mayor Karen Bass, who has repeatedly made statements supportive of Israel.
—
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
The police chief serves at the pleasure of the county executive, under the Baltimore County charter, which gives the executive the power to remove the leaders of any agencies in the executive branch.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2022
To amend the County Charter to provide for that the County Attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2022
Typically, executive-level positions are appointed by the mayor and serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
—Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 22 July 2022
Reid serves at the pleasure of the board, which is composed of three commissioners representing Prince George’s and three representing Montgomery County.
—Katherine Shaver, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022
Dackin served as an at-will employee at the pleasure of the state school board.
—cleveland, 3 June 2022
Previously, the elections director position reported to Lew, who serves at the pleasure of the board and essentially acts as the county's chief executive officer.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 July 2023
Harrison has a five-year deal that expires in early 2024 and serves at the pleasure of Mayor Brandon Scott, a first-term Democrat who could be up for reelection that November.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2023
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David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
The police chief serves at the pleasure of the county executive, under the Baltimore County charter, which gives the executive the power to remove the leaders of any agencies in the executive branch.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2022
To amend the County Charter to provide for that the County Attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2022
Typically, executive-level positions are appointed by the mayor and serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
—Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 22 July 2022
Reid serves at the pleasure of the board, which is composed of three commissioners representing Prince George’s and three representing Montgomery County.
—Katherine Shaver, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022
Dackin served as an at-will employee at the pleasure of the state school board.
—cleveland, 3 June 2022
Previously, the elections director position reported to Lew, who serves at the pleasure of the board and essentially acts as the county's chief executive officer.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 July 2023
Harrison has a five-year deal that expires in early 2024 and serves at the pleasure of Mayor Brandon Scott, a first-term Democrat who could be up for reelection that November.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the pleasure of (someone).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at the pleasure of (someone)
Cite this Entry
“At the pleasure of (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20pleasure%20of%20%28someone%29. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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