leave to someone's tender mercies
leave (one) to (someone's) tender mercies
To allow one to face the punishment or rebukes of another person who will not show them any mercy, kindness, or sympathy. The phrase is used ironically. I thought it would be best if I spoke to her, rather than leaving her to the principal's tender mercies. I don't have time to deal with this. I'll just leave them to Mrs. Tanner's tender mercies.
See also: leave, mercy, tender
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
leave to someone's tender mercies
Submit to another's power or discretion, especially to an unsympathetic individual. Today this expression is always used ironically, as in We left him to the tender mercies of that stiff-necked, arrogant nurse. It alludes to a biblical passage (Proverbs 12:10): "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
See also: leave, mercy, tender
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
leave to someone's tender mercies
Literally, kind usage of someone. The phrase “tender mercies” comes from the Bible’s Book of Psalms (25:6), “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and they loving kindnesses.” Since at least 1900 or so the term has been used ironically, as in Stella Rimington’s At Risk (2004): “‘What would you have done if the guy had refused to give back the money?’ ‘Left him to your tender mercies,’ said Liz. . . . ‘We don’t do violence.’”
See also: leave, mercy, tender
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- leave (one) to (someone's) tender mercies
- leave (one) to the mercy/mercies of (someone or something)
- leave somebody/something to the mercy/mercies of somebody/something
- kill (one) with kindness
- kill somebody with kindness
- kill someone with kindness
- kill with kindness
- do (one) a kindness
- do a kindness
- place (oneself) at (someone's) mercy