at the mercy of (someone/something)

unable to protect yourself from someone or something.

The entire movie business is at the mercy of teenage moviegoers.

If you're not legally employed, you're at your employer's mercy.

• in the dead of night
• in the dead of the night
• in the dead of winter
• in the doghouse
• in the doldrums
• in the driver's seat
• in the dumps
• in the end
• in the event of
• in the event of something
• in the eyes of
• in the eyes of someone
• in the eyes of the law
• in the face of
• in the face of something
• in the family way
• in the fast lane
• in the final analysis
• in the first place
• in the flesh
• in the fullness of time
• in the grand scheme of things
• in the great scheme of things
• in the grip of
• in the grip of something