at the mercy of
at one's mercy
In the power of; subject to the will and wishes of; without defense against.
The champion had the other boxer at his mercy.
The picnic was at the mercy of the weather.
The small grocer was at the mercy of people he owed money to.
at the outset
At the start; at the beginning.
"You'll live in the cheaper barracks at the outset; later you can move into the better cabins," the camp director said to the new boys.
at the outside
Maximally; at the utmost.
This old house can cost no more than $40,000 at the outside.
at the point of
Very near to; almost at or in.
When Mary broke her favorite bracelet, she was at the point of tears.
The boy hurt in the accident lay at the point of death for a week, then he got well.
at the ready
Ready for use.
The sailor stood at the bow, harpoon at the ready, as the boat neared the whale.
at the same time
In the same moment; together.
The two runners reached the finish line at the same time.
In spite of that fact; even though; however; but; nevertheless.
John did pass the test; at the same time, he didn't know the subject very well.
at the table
at table
At a meal; at the dinner table.
The telephone call came while they were all at table.
at the tip of one's tongue
on the tip of one's tongue
Almost spoken; at the point of being said.
It was at the tip of my tongue to tell him, when the phone rang.
John had a rude answer on the tip of his tongue, but he remembered his manners just in time.
Almost remembered; at the point where one can almost say it but cannot because it is forgotten.
I have his name on the tip of my tongue.
"His name is on the tip of my tongue," Tom said. "It will come to me in a minute."