Phrase guide

at Her Majesty's pleasure

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Indefinitely; for an arbitrary period determined by the monarch or her government (especially for indefinite tenure or imprisonment).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • The Governor serves at Her Majesty's pleasure.
  • The murderer was imprisoned at Her Majesty's pleasure.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

In prison.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, informal

Examples

  • He spent two years at Her Majesty's pleasure.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 等候英女皇發落 /等候英女皇发落 (dang2 hau6 jing1 neoi5 wong4 faat3 lok6) — indefinitely
  • Chinese Mandarin: 由女王陛下發落 /由女王陛下发落 (yóu nǚwáng bìxià fāluò) — indefinitely
  • Chinese Mandarin: 等候英女皇發落 /等候英女皇发落 (děnghòu Yīngnǚhuáng fāluò) — indefinitely