at the whim of (someone)
idiom
: when (someone) wishes, desires, or decides something often in a sudden way
The shop is only open at the whim of the owner.
Examples of at the whim of (someone) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nations with central banks that move interest rates at the whim of politicians tend to have inflation spikes and other economic troubles, experts have noted.
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Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 8 May 2025
Unlike the generation before them (Gen Z’s direct and indirect spending power is upward of $450 billion, and this is predicted to increase by 48% before 2030) members of Gen Alpha tend to be more at the whim of parental spending.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
Some 800,000 of their children have been killed or severely wounded in a war waged in Ukraine at the whim of one man.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
The very structure and pacing of the film reflects the rhythm of a real game—tense, strategic and methodical, but always at the whim of whatever fate has in store.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
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Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 8 May 2025
Unlike the generation before them (Gen Z’s direct and indirect spending power is upward of $450 billion, and this is predicted to increase by 48% before 2030) members of Gen Alpha tend to be more at the whim of parental spending.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
Some 800,000 of their children have been killed or severely wounded in a war waged in Ukraine at the whim of one man.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
The very structure and pacing of the film reflects the rhythm of a real game—tense, strategic and methodical, but always at the whim of whatever fate has in store.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the whim of (someone)
Cite this Entry
“At the whim of (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20whim%20of%20%28someone%29. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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