[at sea(2)] Not knowing what to do; bewildered; confused; lost. * /The job was new to him, and for a few days he was at sea./ * /When his friends talked about chemistry, Don was at sea, because he did not study chemistry./ Compare: AT A LOSS.
[at sight] or [on sight] 1. The first time the person or thing is seen; as soon as the person or thing is seen. * /First graders learn to read many words on sight./ * /Mary had seen many pictures of Grandfather, so she knew him on sight./ Compare: AT ONCE(1). 2. On demand, on asking the first time. * /The money order was payable at sight./
[at sixes and sevens] Not in order; in confusion; in a mess. * /He apologized because his wife was away and the house was at sixes and sevens./ * /Our teacher had just moved to a new classroom, and she was still at sixes and sevens./ * /After the captain of the team broke his leg, the other players were at sixes and sevens./
[at --- stage of the game] At (some) time during an activity; at (some) point. * /At that stage of the game, our team was doing so poorly that we were ready to give up./ * /It's hard to know what will happen at this stage of the game./ * /At what stage of the game did the man leave?/
[at stake] Depending, like a bet, on the outcome of something uncertain; in a position to be lost or gained. * /The team played hard because the championship of the state was at stake./ * /The farmers were more anxious for rain than the people in the city because they had more at stake./ Compare: HANG IN THE BALANCE.
[at straws] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[at swords' points] Ready to start fighting; very much opposed to each; other hostile; quarreling. * /The dog's barking kept the Browns at swords' points with their neighbors for months./ * /The mayor and the reporter were always at swords' points./
[at table] See: AT THE TABLE; WAIT AT TABLE.
[at that] , 1. As it is; at that point; without more talk or waiting. * /Ted was not quite satisfied with his haircut but let it go at that./ 2. In addition; also. * /Bill's seat mate on the plane was a girl and a pretty one at that./ 3. After all; in spite of all; anyway. * /The book was hard to understand, but at that Jack enjoyed it./ Syn.: ALL THE SAME.
[at the best] See: AT BEST.
[at the bit] See: CHAMP AT THE BIT.
[at the drop of a hat] , 1. Without waiting; immediately; promptly. * /If you need a babysitter quickly, call Mary, because she can come at the drop of a hat./ Compare: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. 2. Whenever you have a chance; with very little cause or urging. * /At the drop of a hat, he would tell the story of the canal he wanted to build./ * /He was quarrelsome and ready to fight at the drop of a hat./
