at the hand(s) of (someone or something)

at the hand(s) of (someone or something)

Due to the actions of. At least her first loss came at the hands of a very formidable opponent.See also: of

at the hand of

Also, at the hands of. Performed by or at the agency of, as in The slaves suffered greatly at the hands of their new masters. This idiom was first recorded about 1035. Also see at hand. See also: hand, of

at the hands of someone

or

at someone's hands

COMMON If someone experiences a particular kind of treatment, especially unpleasant treatment, at the hands of a person or organization or at someone's hands, they receive it from them. After their 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Vitesse Arnhem, United may find morale a problem. She spoke of the humiliation she endured at the hands of the police.See also: hand, of, someone

at the hands of somebody

,

at somebody’s ˈhands

(written) if you experience something at the hands of somebody, they are the cause of it: So far hundreds of innocent civilians have died at the hands of the terrorists.See also: hand, of, somebody