A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Note:
The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase
in the end
—
1
. finally; ultimately: Three months were spent in
the drafting of a document which in the end was rejected. 2.
taking one thing with another; as things turn out: In the end,
boys and girls don’t communicate the same way.
at any cost • at any price
at any cost—regardless of how much effort or sacrifice is
needed: In plain English, it is murder, and it must be stopped
at any cost.
at any price —
1
. = at any cost: Peace at any price will not be
a long peace. There will be more price to pay, over and over
again. 2. (negat.) is used to state that under no circumstances
will one accept or do smth.: I’m going to leave you. I can’t
stand my father-in-law at any price.
at any one time • at any time
at any one time —on each separate occasion: These were
what were known as “bottle shops,” and could not sell less
than a bottle of spirits at any one time.
at any time —
1
. at any given moment: The navigational sys-
tem enabled our bombers to know exactly where they were at
any time en route to Germany. 2. at a time which may be very
soon: We may need the trucks at any time. I’ll phone if I want
you to roll them. 3. at any time one chooses: Anyone is wel-
come to join in at any time during the day. 4. no matter when;
whenever: If at any time you have questions, please feel free
to call.
See also: at all hours / at any hour.
at arm’s length • close at hand
at arm’s length —
1
. as far away from one as one can reach
with the arm: The curtains fell together as the girl and the
man stood at arm’s length from one another. 2. away from
close contact or familiarity: Deep inside she does have a bit of
affection for him, but their rivalry has her keeping him at
arm’s length.
close at hand —
1
. near enough; in close proximity: The
monks were always mindful to establish themselves where
there was water close at hand. 2. on close inspection: He was
found, close at hand, to be no mean acrid man; but at heart
a healthful, strong, sagacious man. 3. (of an event, etc.) coming
on shortly: This was the moment at which the fortunes of
Montague reached the meridian. The decline was close at
hand.