at the mercy of

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Term: at the mercy of

Description: "At the mercy of" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation in which someone has no control or power over something or someone else. It signifies being completely vulnerable, exposed, or subject to the will, actions, or decisions of others.

Sense 1 (Idiomatic Usage):

Part of Speech: Idiom

Definition: Having no control or power over something or someone else; completely vulnerable or subject to the will or actions of others.

Example Sentences:

During the storm, the small boat was at the mercy of the colossal waves.
Investors found themselves at the mercy of unpredictable market fluctuations.
Without access to affordable healthcare, many people are at the mercy of their illnesses.

Sense 2 (Literal Usage):

Part of Speech: Prepositional Phrase

Definition: Being in a situation where one cannot control or influence the outcome of a particular event or circumstance.

Example Sentences:

The hiker lost his compass and found himself at the mercy of the dense forest.
Without backup generators, the town was at the mercy of the power outage.
When their car broke down in the middle of nowhere, they were at the mercy of passing motorists for help.

Related Products:

at the back at the beginning there was ale at the behest at the best at the end at the expense of at the helm at the least at the mercy of at the most at the outset let me thank you at the ready at the ready predicate at the request at the same stroke at the same time at the start

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