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Expressions

At leisure meaning: the polite way to say no rush

Without hurry, when it suits you: read it at your leisure. But on a tour programme, a day at leisure confuses people looking for the sightseeing in it. What's actually planned?

At leisure means without hurry, when it suits you: you can read the guide at your leisure. On a travel itinerary, a day at leisure is a free day, with no tours or fixed activities. In a business email, at your leisure removes any urgency: look at it when you have time.

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read / explore / consider something at leisure; at your / my / our leisure; a day at leisure

  • You can download the guide and read it at your leisure.
  • We left the afternoon free to explore the town at leisure.
  • After the morning workshop, participants had two hours at leisure.

What changed

First versionI'll examine the photographs in my leisure this evening.

RevisionI'll examine the photographs at my leisure this evening.

In my free time and in my spare time both use in, so in my leisure seems to follow. But this phrase is built with at: at my leisure. In works only with time added: in my leisure time.

Cambridge Dictionary

Take your time is a direct don't rush. At your leisure fits inside a request: review it at your leisure. At ease is about feeling relaxed, not about free time. If you need an answer by Friday, don't write at your leisure.

Your turn

There is no need to hurry: Read the catalogue at ___ leisure.

(your / you)

Show the answer

your — Before leisure you need the possessive your: at your leisure. You can't stand before a noun.

Invite a guest or colleague to look through some material or a place without hurry. Use at your leisure.

I've left the photo album on the table so you can look through it at your leisure.

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