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[at issue]{adj. phr.} 1. In dispute; to be settled by debate, by vote, by battle, or by some other contest. •/His good name was at issue in the trial./ •/The independence of the United States from England was at issue in the Revolutionary War./ Compare: IN QUESTION. 2. Not in agreement; in conflict; opposing. •/His work as a doctor was at issue with other doctors' practice./ Syn.: AT ODDS.

[at it]{adj. phr.} Busily doing something; active. •/His rule for success was to keep always at it./ •/The couple who owned the little cleaning shop were at it early and late./ •/Mr. Curtis heard a loud crash in the next apartment — the neighbors were at it again./

[at large]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not kept within walls, fences, or boundaries; free. •/The killer remained at large for weeks./ Compare: AT LIBERTY. •/Cattle and sheep roamed at large on the big ranch./ 2. In a broad, general way; at length; fully. •/The superintendent talked at large for an hour about his hopes for a new school building./ 3. As a group rather than as individuals; as a whole; taken together. •/The junior class at large was not interested in a senior yearbook./ 4. As a representative of a whole political unit or area rather than one of its parts; from a city rather than one of its wards, or a state rather than one of its districts. •/He was elected congressman at large./ •/Aldermen are voted for at large./

[at last] also [at long last] {adv. phr.} After a long time; finally. •/The war had been long and hard, but now there was peace at last./ •/The boy saved his money until at last he had enough for a bicycle./

[at least]{adv. phr.} 1. or [at the least] At the smallest guess; no fewer than; no less than. •/You should brush your teeth at least twice a day./ •/At least three students are failing in mathematics./ •/Mr. Johnson must weigh 200 pounds at least./ Compare: ALL OF. 2. Whatever else you may say; anyhow; anyway. •/It was a clumsy move, but at least it saved her from getting hit./ •/She broke her arm, but at least it wasn’t the arm she writes with./ •/The Mortons had fun at their picnic yesterday — at least the children did — they played while their parents cooked the food./ •/He’s not coming — at least that’s what he said./ Compare: AT ANY RATE.

[at leisure]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Not at work; not busy; with free time; at rest. •/Come and visit us some evening when you’re at leisure./ 2. or [at one’s leisure] When and how you wish at your convenience; without hurry. •/John made the model plane at his leisure./ •/You may read the book at your leisure./

[at length]{adv. phr.} 1. In detail; fully. •/You must study the subject at length to understand it./ •/The teacher explained the new lesson at length to the students./ 2. In the end; at last; finally. •/The movie became more and more exciting, until at length people were sitting on the edge of their chairs./