{adv. phr.} 1. In addition; also, too; besides. •/The book
tells about Mark Twain’s writings and about his life as well./ •/Tom is
captain of the football team and is on the baseball team as well./ 2. Without
loss and possibly with gain. •/After the dog ran away, Father thought he
might as well sell the dog house./ •/Since he can’t win the race, he may as
well quit./ •/It’s just as well you didn’t come yesterday, because we were
away./
[as well as]
{conj.} In addition to; and also; besides. •/Hiking is
good exercise as well as fun./ •/He was my friend as well as my doctor./
•/The book tells about the author’s life as well as about his writings./
[as yet]
{adv. phr.} Up to the present time; so far; yet. •/We know
little as yet about the moon’s surface./ •/She has not come as yet./
[as you please]
1. As you like, whatever you like or prefer; as you choose.
•/You may do as you please./ 2. {informal} Very. — Used after an
adjective or adverb often preceded by "as". •/There was Tinker, sitting
there, cheerful as you please./ •/She was dressed for the dance and she
looked as pretty as you please./
[at a blow]
or [at a stroke] or [at one stroke]{adv. phr.}
Immediately; suddenly; with one quick or forceful action. •/The pirates
captured the ship and captured a ton of gold at a blow./ •/A thousand men
lost their jobs at a stroke when the factory closed./ •/All the prisoners
escaped at one stroke./ Compare: AT ONCE, AT ONE TIME.
[at all]
{adv. phr.} At any time or place, for any reason, or in any
degree or manner. — Used for emphasis with certain kinds of words or
sentences. 1. Negative •/It’s not at all likely he will come./ 2. Limited
•/I can hardly hear you at all./ 3. Interrogative •/Can it be done at
all?/ 4. Conditional •/She will walk with a limp, if she walks at all./
Syn.: IN THE LEAST.
[at all costs]
{adv. phr.} At any expense of time, effort, or money.
Regardless of the results. •/Mr. Jackson intended to save his son’s eyesight
at all costs./ •/Carl is determined to succeed in his new job at all
costs./
[at all events]
See: IN ANY CASE.
[at all hazards]
{adv. phr.} With no regard for danger; at any risk;
regardless of the chances you must take. •/The racer meant to win the
500-mile race at all hazards./
[at all hours]
{adv. phr.} Any time; all the time; at almost any time.
•/The baby cried so much that we were up at all hours trying to calm her
down./
[at a loss]
{adj. phr.} In a state of uncertainty; without any idea;
puzzled. •/A good salesman is never at a loss for words./ •/When Don
missed the last bus, he was at a loss to know what to do./
[at anchor]
{adj. phr.} Held by an anchor from floating away; anchored.
•/The ship rode at anchor in the harbor./
[at any rate]
{adv. phr.} In any case; anyhow. •/It isn’t much of a
car, but at any rate it was not expensive./ Compare: AT LEAST(2), IN ANY
CASE.
[at a premium]
{adv. phr.} 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./