The phrase “at the whim of (someone)” is a common expression used to describe a situation where a person is completely at the mercy of another person’s unpredictable or arbitrary decisions. This phrase is often used to convey a sense of powerlessness and vulnerability, as the person who is at the whim of another has no control over their own fate.
Definitions
The phrase “at the whim of (someone)” can be defined as being subject to the unpredictable or arbitrary decisions of another person. It suggests a lack of control or agency on the part of the person who is at the whim of another.
Origin
The phrase “at the whim of (someone)” has its roots in the Old English word “wymman,” which means “to desire.” The word “whim” itself comes from the Middle English word “whym,” which means “a sudden fancy or notion.” Over time, the phrase “at the whim of (someone)” has come to mean being subject to the unpredictable or arbitrary decisions of another person.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the phrase “at the whim of (someone)” means “dependent on the will or pleasure of another.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “subject to the caprices or fancies of another.”
Associations
The phrase “at the whim of (someone)” is often associated with feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability, and lack of control. It can also be associated with situations where a person is at the mercy of someone who is unpredictable or arbitrary in their decision-making.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of the phrase “at the whim of (someone)” include “at the mercy of (someone),” “subject to (someone’s) whims,” “dependent on (someone’s) will,” and “under (someone’s) thumb.”
Antonyms
Some antonyms of the phrase “at the whim of (someone)” include “in control,” “autonomous,” “self-determining,” and “self-governing.”
The same root words
The root words of the phrase “at the whim of (someone)” are “whim” and “wymman.” Other words that share these root words include “whimsical,” “whimper,” “wimp,” and “wish.”
Example Sentences
- “I feel like I’m at the whim of my boss, who can fire me at any moment for any reason.”
- “The fate of the project was at the whim of the CEO, who changed his mind about it every other day.”
- “Living in a dictatorship means being at the whim of a single person’s decisions.”
- “I hate feeling like I’m at the whim of my emotions, which can change so quickly and unpredictably.”
- “Being at the whim of the weather means that our plans for the day are always subject to change.”