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 Hungary.
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.