at the mercy of

1. 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]

2. Without any protection against, as in On top of Mount Washington we were at the mercy of the elements . [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

But on this trek he had lost his pack and was at the mercy of the elements ever since, hungry, dehydrated and shivering under a bed of needles.

From Los Angeles Times

The arrest underscores how the very political identity he built his business on has now put him at the mercy of the immigration policies he publicly celebrated.

From Salon

How did this happen – and what remedies do customers really have when left at the mercy of rogue traders?

From BBC

In Cambodia's case it is the story of a once powerful empire reduced to poverty by war and revolution, and at the mercy of the territorial ambitions of its larger neighbours.

From BBC

"By choosing military escalation over negotiation, we are leaving our loved ones at the mercy of Hamas," the group said in a statement.

From BBC