authority

throw oneself at the mercy of some authority and throw oneself on the mercy of some authority; throw oneself (up)on someone's mercy

Fig. to seek mercy from a court of law, especially at one's sentencing for a crime; to seek help from an official or institution. He pleaded guilty and threw himself at the mercy of the court. It did no good to throw myself on the mercy of the State Department. Please don't! I throw myself upon your mercy!

See also: mercy, oneself, some, throw

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have it on good authority

to believe that a piece of information is true because you trust the person who told you (often + that ) I have it on good authority that we're about to be given a pay increase.

See also: good, have

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have it on good authority

to believe that certain information is true because it came from a person or document you can trust I have it on good authority that their business is not doing well.

See also: good, have