Achilles heel
a portion, spot, area, or the like, that is especially or solely vulnerable:
His Achilles heel is his quick temper.
Contemporary Examples
Signatures will not be his Achilles heel—he knows well how the game is played in this city.
Rahm’s Rough Road Ahead John Conroy September 8, 2010
But it also represents the Achilles heel of a company that loves to look backward more than it does forward.
Could Ford Be Next? Jeff Sabatini May 1, 2009
Obama, extremely/quite confident: 32 percent Romney, extremely/quite confident: 19 percent That’s the Achilles heel, gang.
Again I Shout It: Bain Is a Distraction Michael Tomasky May 22, 2012
Our visionary scientists have found the Achilles heel of yet another enemy of the State—the Superbug!
The Fake Superbug Cure Kent Sepkowitz June 20, 2014
It is already beyond repair in Yemen, the Achilles heel of Arabia where the police state has fractured and fallen apart.
The End of Arab Police States? Bruce Riedel April 22, 2011
Historical Examples
These countries are the “Achilles heel of the British Empire.”
German Problems and Personalities Charles Sarolea
noun
a small but fatal weakness
Read Also:
- Achilles jerk
a downward reflex action of the foot when the Achilles tendon is tapped, caused by contraction of the calf muscles.
- Achilles reflex
. Achilles reflex n. A reflex bending of the foot resulting from contraction of the calf muscles when the Achilles tendon is sharply struck. Also called Achilles jerk, Achilles tendon reflex, ankle reflex, triceps surae reflex.
- Achilles tendon
the tendon joining the calf muscles to the heel bone. Contemporary Examples A second doctor suggested it might be possible to extend his Achilles tendon. The Fall and Rise of Skateboarder Danny Renaud Michael Daly August 20, 2013 Historical Examples Achilles tendon, the great tendon of the heel, where Achilles was vulnerable. The Nuttall Encyclopaedia […]
- Achilles tendon reflex
achilles tendon reflex Achilles tendon reflex n. See Achilles reflex.
- Achillobursitis
achillobursitis achillobursitis a·chil·lo·bur·si·tis (ə-kĭl’ō-bər-sī’tĭs) n. Inflammation of a bursa beneath the Achilles tendon. Also called retrocalcaneobursitis.