be at the mercy of

词频
难度
phrase
C2

to be unable to control what happens to you; to be in a situation where you rely on others or external factors

When the storm hit, the residents found themselves at the mercy of the floodwaters.

当暴风雨来袭时,居民们发现自己无助于洪水的威胁。

translation

phr. 受制于