subject to, be

subject to, be idiom
  1. Be under the control or authority of, as in All citizens in this nation are subject to the law. [First half of 1300s]
  2. Be prone or disposed to, as in This child has always been subject to colds. [Late 1300s]
  3. Be likely to incur or receive, as in This memo is subject to misinterpretation. [Late 1300s]
  4. Depend on, be likely to be affected by, as in Our vacation plans are subject to the boss's whims. [Early 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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