to the (tender) mercies of
phrase
: without any protection from (someone or something one cannot control)
As the army retreated, the people were left to the mercies of the advancing enemy.
Cite this Entry
“To the (tender) mercies of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to%20the%20%28tender%29%20mercies%20of. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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