at the whim of (someone)

phrase

: 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

But the scientists and their data collection are also at the whim of the rough Southern Ocean. — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026

Both leagues were at the whim of the city, its quickness, and willingness to pay for the repairs. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Carnival is as cyclical as cyclical gets, long trading at the whim of the economy. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

As the leader of LVMH with a 48% stake in the business, his fortune is largely at the whim of whether consumers are buying up opulent products like Louis Vuitton bags, TAG Heuer watches, and Dom Perignon champagne. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025