[at one's heels] Close behind; as a constant follower or companion. * /The boy got tired of having his little brother at his heels all day./ * /John ran by the finish line with Ned at his heels./ * /Bad luck followed at his heels all his life./
[at one's leisure] See: AT LEISURE(2).
[at one's service] 1. Ready to serve or help you; prepared to obey your wish or command; subject to your orders. * /He placed himself completely at the President's service./ * /"Now I am at your service," the dentist told the next patient./ 2. Available for your use; at your disposal. * /He put a car and chauffeur at the visitor's service./
[at one stroke] See: AT A BLOW or AT ONE STROKE.
[at one's wit's end] or [at wits end] Having no ideas as to how to meet a difficulty or solve a problem; feeling puzzled after having used up all of your ideas or resources; not knowing what to do; puzzled. * /He had approached every friend and acquaintance for help in vain, and now he was at his wit's end./ * /The designer was at his wit's end: he had tried out wings of many different kinds but none would fly./ Compare: AT A LOSS, END OF ONE'S ROPE.
[at one's word] See: TAKE AT ONE'S WORD.
[at one time] 1. In the same moment; together. * /Let's start the dance again all at one time./ * /Mr. Reed's bills came all at one time and he could not pay them./ Syn.: AT THE SAME TIME(1). 2. At a certain time in the past; years ago. * /At one time people thought that Minnesota was not a good place to live./ * /At one time most school teachers were men, but today there are more women than men./
[at pains] Making a special effort. * /At pains to make a good impression, she was prompt for her appointment./
[at present] At this time; now. * /It took a long time to get started, but at present the road is half finished./ * /At present the house is empty, but next week a family will move in./
[at random] With no order, plan, or purpose; in a mixed-up, or thoughtless way. * /He opened the letters at random./ * /His clothes were scattered about the room at random./
[at sea(1)] or 1. On an ocean voyage; on a journey by ship. * /They had first met at sea./ 2. Out on the ocean; away from land. * /By the second day the ship was well out at sea./ * /Charles had visited a ship in dock, but he had never been on a ship at sea./
