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Glite Dictionary
at someone's disposal

at someone's disposal

1 3.7
Available for someone to use when they need it
  • idiom
translation icon : a tu disposición
  • My jet is at your disposal.

Examples

  • Not with all the nuclear firepower at the USA's disposal.

    Blog text (34)

  • My house is at Your Grace's disposal.

    A Man for All Seasons (1966)

  • I just want you to know that I am absolutely at your disposal.

    Death Becomes Her (1992)

  • I am entirely at your disposal.

    Broadway Bill (1934)

  • You already have a surgeon at your disposal.

    From Hell (2001)

  • I'm putting the full resources of my department here at your disposal.

    The Bone Collector (1999)

  • The city's forces are at your disposal.

    Che: Part One (2008)

  • Training provides many benefits and is one of the most effective tools at a company's disposal to keep their best employees.

    Blog text (31)

  • That pressure could make a great movie, given the tremendous resources at Disney's disposal.

    Blog text (25)

  • You have at your disposal a range of tools to complete the project.

Synonyms

disposable
vsat someone's disposal
30 3.4

Available to use when needed, like money or resources

is a general phrase for availability rather than a resource adjective
on demand
vsat someone's disposal
23 3.2

Available to use whenever someone asks for it

is available generally but not only when specifically requested
at the disposal of
vsat someone's disposal
1 3.5

Available for someone to use when they need it

is the same meaning but uses a different phrasing
at your fingertips
vsat someone's disposal
  • Informal
3.3

Easy to get on a phone or computer

is available but less focused on speed or ease

Antonyms

unavailable
81 3.4

Not able to be used, reached, or bought

out of reach
38 4.0

Too far or too expensive for most people to get

How Available

at someone's disposal
1 3.7
on hand
81 2.1
available
∞ 2.3
unavailable
81 3.4

Surface Forms

at someone's disposal positive

Morphology

at + someone's + disposal

The meaning 'available for someone to use as they wish' is directly derivable from the parts: 'at' indicates a state/position, 'someone's' marks possession, and 'disposal' signals control or ability to use. This compositional sense is common across languages (e.g., Spanish 'a disposición de', French 'à la disposition de'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would likely comprehend the expression.

Etymology

At someone's disposal comes from the simple idea of putting things where a person can use them: if someone placed tools at your disposal, those tools were ready for you to take and use. So, it now means 'available for someone to use as they wish'.