at the whim of (someone)
idiom
: 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
That allows [artists] to have sustainable careers that aren’t just driven off programmatic playlisting and being at the whim of that ecosystem.
—
Mark Sutherland, Variety, 27 June 2024
There’s a little anxiety around leaving the nest and being at the whim of other people.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024
Just as cruise itineraries can sometimes be subject to last-minute changes, safaris are at the whim of wild animals.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Songs, albums, and entire catalogs can be removed from streaming services at the whim of the artists or the corporations who control the rights.
—Adrienne So, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024
The system was already in place whereby the income of many workers was at the whim of the customers.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
Someone who only has a single load to wash is at the whim of another person using all the machines.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Someone who has only a single load to wash is at the whim of another person using all the machines.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Those who make money off social media are also at the whim of big platforms and their constantly changing algorithms, forcing them to adapt to what’s popular at the time.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024
Mark Sutherland, Variety, 27 June 2024
There’s a little anxiety around leaving the nest and being at the whim of other people.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024
Just as cruise itineraries can sometimes be subject to last-minute changes, safaris are at the whim of wild animals.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Songs, albums, and entire catalogs can be removed from streaming services at the whim of the artists or the corporations who control the rights.
—Adrienne So, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024
The system was already in place whereby the income of many workers was at the whim of the customers.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
Someone who only has a single load to wash is at the whim of another person using all the machines.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Someone who has only a single load to wash is at the whim of another person using all the machines.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Those who make money off social media are also at the whim of big platforms and their constantly changing algorithms, forcing them to adapt to what’s popular at the time.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the whim of (someone).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at the whim of (someone)
Cite this Entry
“At the whim of (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20whim%20of%20%28someone%29. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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