[at a premium] At a high price due to special circumstances. * /When his father died, Fred flew to Europe at a premium because he had no chance to buy a less expensive ticket./
[at arm's length] See: KEEP AT A DISTANCE or KEEP AT ARM'S LENGTH.
[at a set time] At a particular, pre-specified time. * /Do we have to eat in this hotel at a set time, or may we come down whenever we want?/
[at a snail's pace] See: SNAIL'S PACE.
[at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[at a stroke] See: AT A BLOW or AT A STROKE.
[at a time] At once; at one time; in one group or unit; together. * /He checked them off one at a time as they came in./ * /He ran up the steps two at a time./ See: EVERY OTHER. * /They showed up for class three and four at a time./
[at bay] or In a place where you can no longer run away; unable to go back farther; forced to stand and fight, or face an enemy; cornered. * /The dog ran the rat into a corner, and there the rat turned at bay./ * /The police chased the thief to a roof, where they held him at bay until more policemen came to help./ Compare: BRING TO BAY.
[at best] or [at the best] 1. Under the best conditions; as the best possibility. * /A coal miner's job is dirty and dangerous at best./ * /We can't get to New York before ten o'clock at best./ Compare: AT MOST. Contrast: AT WORST. 2. In the most favorable way of looking at something; even saying the best about the thing. * The /treasurer had at best been careless with the club's money, but most people thought he had been dishonest./
[at both ends] See: BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS.
[at call] or 1. Ready or nearby for use, help, or service; on request. * /Thousands of auto insurance agents all over the country are at the insured person's call, wherever he may travel./ 2. At the word of command; at an order or signal. * /The dog was trained to come at call./
[at close range] Close by; in proximity. * /The police officer fired at the fleeing murder suspect at close range./
[at cross purposes] With opposing meanings or aims; with opposing effect or result; with aims which hinder or get in each other's way. * /Tom's parents acted at cross purposes in advising him; his father wanted him to become a doctor; but his mother wanted him to become a minister./
[at death's door] or Very near death; dying. * /He seemed to be at death's door from his illness./
