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.
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.