1 [C,U] the cost of sth in time or money (时间或金钱上的)代价,花费:
Running a car is a great expense.养一辆汽车花费很大。The movie was filmed in Tahiti at great expense.这部电影是花了很大的代价在塔希提岛拍的。
2expenses [pl] money that is spent for a particular purpose (作某用途的)开支,费用:
You can claim back your travelling expenses.你的旅费可以报销。
at sb's expense
1 with sb paying; at sb's cost 由某人付钱:
My trip is at the company's expense.我的旅费由公司支付。
2 against sb, so that he/she looks silly 捉弄:
They were always making jokes at Paul's expense.他们老是拿保罗开玩笑。
at the expense of sth harming or damaging sth 以…为代价:
He was a successful businessman, but it was at the expense of his family life.他是个成功的商人,但却因此牺牲了家庭生活。