leave someone/thing to the mercy of
Leave someone or something exposed to probable danger or harm: the forest is left to the mercy of the loggers...- If we had been left to the mercy of Aer Lingus and their fares we would have had to move to Brussels altogether.
- High street traders who had to close their stores after flash floods on Tuesday say their shops have been left to the mercy of the weather after gullies and drainage were removed.
- Under this constitution, rights are left to the mercy of predators such as Howard and expedient windbags like Beazley.
See parent entry: mercy