At one's leisure

Origin

The concept of "leisure" has always been a precious commodity. Tracing its roots through Old French "leisir" to the Latin "licere"—meaning "to be permitted"—it arrived in English by the 14th century, signifying a coveted freedom from obligation. But it was in the 16th century that the phrase "at leisure" truly crystallized, offering an eloquent shorthand for acting without haste or external pressure. The simple addition of "one's" (as in "at my leisure" or "at your leisure") became a powerful personal declaration. It wasn't just about having time; it was about owning that time, making decisions entirely on one's own schedule, embodying a quiet rebellion against the relentless ticking clock.