at a goodly price —1. buy at a fairly high price: He purchased the fabric at a goodly price , which drove up the cost on the finished product. 2. = at a good price 1: The Venus, being a rare and beautiful example of Roman sculpture, might well be sold at a goodly price . at a heat • in heat at a heat—(coll.) at a single intense effort or action: The new articles having been “thrown off at a heat ,” stood partic- ularly in want of re-revision. in heat—(of animals) in the state of sexual excitement during the breeding season (also: on heat): “I’m no bitch in heat ,” she said between tight teeth, “take your paws off me.” See also: at a white heat / in a dead heat. at a moment • at the moment at a moment—at one point in time (out of many): He looked up from the desk, caught her at a moment when, against her will, tears had filled her eyes. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase in a moment—1. in a very short time: The maids are busy preparing your room but they will be done in a moment . 2. = at a moment: He forced the responsibility of two lives upon me, and, in a moment of indecision, I failed them. at the moment—1. at present; just now: There are twenty residents in a converted private house, and at the moment many of them share a room. 2. at a specific point in time: That gentleman was really ruined, and that at the moment when he was about to attain his end. at a price • at the price at a price—1. bought or sold at a high cost; very expensive: There’s fresh asparagus in the shops—at a price ! 2. at the cost of much effort and sacrifice: Such is his grip on the market, though it is one obtained at a price . at the price—1. at the cost indicated: Other wines difficult to beat at the price include three good dry whites from Hun- gary. 2. at the expense of smth.: The issue will be whether the government will introduce the harsh measures at the price of its own popularity. at a push • at one push at a push—(coll.) if compelled by need or circumstances: We can sleep seven or eight people in the house at a push . at one push—with one act of pushing: Do not press the shutter at one push , or otherwise the photograph may be blurred. at a run • on the run at a run—moving at a running pace: Suddenly, there he was, at a run , hurrying my son to unpack the rifle and climb the mountain with him. on the run —(predic.)—1. running: Although I am perfectly still, I find myself taking quick short breaths, as if I too am on the run . 2. (also: on the trot) busy moving from one task to another: It was vacation, and I shouldn’t feel bad if I am not on the run every minute of the day. 3. (also: on the trot) run- ning away from prison, the police, etc.: He went to meet a Franc-Tireur who was on the run after killing several Germans. 4. (of troops) retreating; severely defeated: They all believed that this first success should be fully exploited while the enemy was on the run . at a stretch • on the stretch at a stretch—1. continuously; without interruption: It was impossible to work for more than an hour or so at a stretch . 2. by making a special effort; by stretching one’s resources: We have provided food for fifty people, but we might be able to make it do for sixty at a stretch . on the stretch —1. tightened and extended: By the inspiratory effort the elastic tissue of the lungs is put on the stretch . 2. = at a stretch 1: Though several cars remained stranded for hours on the stretch , the situation was brought under control. 3. (coll.) using exaggerated statements: He’s always on the stretch …. He never tells the truth except by mistake. 4. (of nerves) in the state of tension: The insects whirred and buzzed and the noise kept Harry’s nerves on the stretch . 5. (also: at full stretch) working as hard as possible: Me and my stoker were on the stretch all the time attending to the engine. at a stroke • at the stroke at a stroke—suddenly and with a single action or effort: Some companies were in trouble because Mr. Heath changed strategy at a stroke . at the stroke —at exactly the time stated or agreed upon: We agreed to meet for lunch, and he arrived at the stroke . at a time • at one time at a time—1. simultaneously: We present items, three at a time , and ask informants to pick the one that is most different from the other two. 2. is used of a particular period of time: She grew up in the capital at a time when its artistic life was at its most brilliant. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at times—now and then: Our work is cut out for us, even though it can be heartbreaking at times . at one time—1. = at a time 1: Let’s start the dance again, all at one time . 2. at some time in the past: At one time most school teachers were men. at a walk • in a walk at a walk —at the ordinary gait: He watched her as she went past at a walk . in a walk —(coll.) 1. quickly and without much thought: If you bother me too much, I’ll leave you in a walk ! 2. easily and without effort: Sunday is election day, and Viktor Yushenko is expected to win in a walk . at a white heat • in a dead heat at a white heat—in a state of intense or extreme emotion: I saw him once while at a white heat of vexation in the library of the White House. in a dead heat—(of a race, etc.) finishing at practically the same time: The horses came to the finish in a dead heat , and, without a photograph, the results were too close to call. See also: at a heat / in heat. at a word • in a word at a word—following the word of command: At a word from the guard they all splashed into the water and washed their faces thoroughly. in a word—(introductory or parenthetical) briefly; in short: Another morning came, but no wife. In a word , she was never heard of more. at all events • in any event at all events—anyhow; at any rate: Our landlady may be a bad cook, but at all events she does her best. in any event—whatever may happen: I hope to go tomorrow; in any event I shall go before Saturday. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase in either event—no matter which of two possibilities happens: You will be notified on the phone or via e-mail. In either event , we will not charge your credit card for a product until it is shipped to you. at all hours • at any hour at all hours —continuously, especially at unusual or irregular at a heat – 20 –