expenseex•pense /ɪk'spens/

n

1. C,U 消耗,支出

• We cannot afford the expense. 我们负担不起这个费用。

2. [～s] 开支；经费

• The boss considered that the office expenses were too big. 老板认为办公花费太大了。

3. U 牺牲，损失

词组at the expense of

1. 由…付费

• She declined to travel at the expense of her father. 她不愿意父亲为她负担旅游费用。

2. 以…为代价

• He finished the exploration at the expense of his health. 他以损害自己的健康为代价完成了这次探险。