| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| at sixes and sevens |
not in agreement, confused, in a state of confusion, arguing, at loggerheads
|
Parents and teachers are at sixes and sevens over sex education.
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| at stake |
what you could lose or gain
|
If you're involved in a crime, your career may be at stake.
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| at the crack of dawn |
at the first sign of light, at first light
|
At the crack of dawn he would rise, wash and go for a walk.
|
| at the drop of a hat |
without hesitation, quickly
|
He'll argue at the drop of a hat. He likes to argue.
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| at the end of my rope/ at the end of my tether |
losing control of myself, losing patience (see lose patience)
|
Babysitting five kids, I was at the end of my rope.
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| at the hands of |
while competing against, when fighting
|
It was at the hands of his former student that he was defeated.
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| at the ripe old age |
at a very old age; being unusually old
|
He could still play checkers at the ripe old age of ninety-eight.
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| at the top of her game |
at her best, playing as well as she can
|
If Val's at the top of her game she can defeat Olga.
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| at the top of his voice |
as loud as he can, shouting loudly
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Ben called for help at the top of his voice. "Help!" he shouted.
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| at the wheel |
driving a car, steering a car or truck
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Who was at the wheel when the car went off the road?
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