Meaning & use
at the mercy of
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
in a situation where someone or something has complete power over you and can harm you
Grammar: Follow with a noun or pronoun: at the mercy of the weather, at the mercy of their enemies.
Patterns
- at the mercy of someone
- at the mercy of something
- be at the mercy of someone/something
The small boat was at the mercy of the storm.
Without a lawyer, she felt at the mercy of the court.
Farmers are at the mercy of the weather.
phrasefixed phrasefigurative
completely controlled or determined by something, so you cannot act freely
Grammar: Often used with abstract forces like 'market forces' or 'public opinion'.
Patterns
- at the mercy of something
The company is at the mercy of market forces.
His career was at the mercy of his boss's mood.
Common combinations
- at the mercy of the weather
- The picnic was at the mercy of the weather.
- at the mercy of the sea
- The sailors were at the mercy of the sea.
- at the mercy of the court
- The defendant was at the mercy of the court.
- at the mercy of others
- The elderly should not be at the mercy of others.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in the power of
- Similar meaning, but more formal and less common in everyday speech.
- at the whim of
- Focuses on unpredictable decisions rather than general control.
Opposites
Commonly confused: at the mercy of or at the mercy of?
at the mercy of vs at the mercy of
Not to be confused with 'merciful', which means showing kindness.
Practice
The villagers were completely ______ the river, which often flooded.
Choose one answer.
The correct fixed phrase is 'at the mercy of'. The other options are not standard English.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “at the mercy of”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.