at the mercy of
Idioms-
Also, at someone's mercy . Subject to the power of, helpless against, as in The captured rebels were at the mercy of the army commander . [Late 1500s]
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Without any protection against, as in On top of Mount Washington we were at the mercy of the elements . [Late 1600s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“This leaves workers at the mercy of employers.”
With all the strength he could gather, Duane clawed at the snow wall until he forced his way into the lair, ready to face his unknown fate at the mercy of the dragon monster.
From Literature
“It feels really precious to be able to own things physically and not be at the mercy of studios’ financial decisions.”
From Los Angeles Times
As every child knows, balloons are at the mercy of the wind.
Coinbase Global stock has been hammered in recent months as it’s been at the mercy of the brutal Bitcoin selloff.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
