throw oneself on someone's mercy
Appeal for leniency
To throw oneself on someone's mercy is to surrender completely to their judgment, asking for leniency rather than justice.
The phrase acknowledges that you have no defense or leverage—you're appealing to compassion rather than arguing your case: He threw himself on the court's mercy and received a lighter sentence.
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- on bended kneeKneeling in supplication
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- asking forgivenessRequesting absolution for wrongdoing
- surrenderingCeasing to resist
white flag · supplicating · vulnerability · humility · cap in hand · desperation · last resort · cry for help · prostrating · compassion · guilt · guilty conscience · shame · helplessness · leniency · confessing · apologizing · trust
throw oneself on someone's mercystand firm
Refuse to retreat
stand one's ground · hold one's ground · fight back · resist · assert oneself
throw oneself on someone's mercydefy
Resist or challenge openly
resist · rebel · challenge · go down swinging · spit in someone's face