Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
at the mercy of someone
phrase
/æt ðə ˈmɜrsi əv ˈsʌmˌwʌn/
Definition
In a situation where one has no control over what happens and is completely reliant on someone else’s actions or decisions.
Examples
- After losing the keys, I was at the mercy of the locksmith to get into my house.
- During the negotiation, the company realized they were at the mercy of their supplier’s pricing.
- When the storm hit, the residents felt at the mercy of nature.
Meaning
This phrase implies being in a vulnerable position, where one’s fate or outcome is dependent on another person’s will or decisions.
Synonyms
- dependent on someone
- subject to someone’s control
- at the whim of someone
