Find more ways to say Achilles heel, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Thetis dipped her young son Achilles in the river, but she held him by his heel. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, idiomatic references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common. Improper security measures were the failed company's Achilles' heel. Achilles' heel; Etymology . Achilles heel definition: 1. a small problem or weakness in a person or system that can result in failure: 2. a small…. A vulnerable spot that leads to a downfall. Do you know an example of this idiom from another movie or TV show? In fact, idioms are often cultural. The term is derived from the Greek myth of the hero Achilles, whose mother held him by the heel while dipping him into the River Styx to make him immortal. Achilles' heel A vulnerable or weak spot. His pride proved to be his Achilles’ heel. Achilles, who grew to become a great warrior, died during the Trojan War when an arrow struck his heel. In Greek mythology, the nymph Thetis dipped her infant son Achilles in the water of the River Styx to make him immortal, but the heel by which she held him was not touched by the water; he was ultimately killed in battle by an arrow wound in this one vulnerable spot. For example, in Britain, one might say “pop your clogs” to mean “to die.” What makes an expression an idiom is that its figurative … Now the question is: will it ever? An Achilles' heel is a weakness that could result in failure. And I know that it could kill him. Even though it's located in the same part of the body, don't confuse “Achilles' heel” with “Achilles tendon,” which connects muscles in your lower leg to your heel bone. Achilles' heel A fatal weakness, a vulnerable area, as in This division, which is rarely profitable, is the company's Achilles' heel. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Meaning. Today's marketplace demands speed, without sacrificing protective value. Good idea, right? A vulnerable or weak spot. Achilles, who grew to become a great warrior, died during the Trojan War when an arrow struck his heel. Luggage capacity is an average 250 litres - 787 maximum - and if there is, Because Myc activates a host of genes involved in cell replication, it could be considered ". The only portion of his body not immersed into the water was his heels, by which his mother held him. A ten year siege on the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek kingdoms. Although the legend is ancient, the phrase only entered English in the 19th century. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. A vulnerable or weak spot. Interesting Facts About Achilles One story tells how Thetis disguised Achilles as a girl in the court of king of Skyros in order to keep him from war. According to the legend, Achilles was dipped into the river Styx by his mother Thetis to him invulnerable. This page is about the idiom Achilles' heel. Phrases related to: achilles heel Yee yee! He eventually was killed by an arrow shot into his heel. Achilles’ heel is the part of the person that can be most easily wounded While the story focuses on Achilles and his quarrels with king Agamemnon, this story makes no mention of his apparent weakness. On your body, your Achilles’ heel is the tendon on the back of your ankle. The term alludes to the Greek legend about the heroic warrior Achilles whose mother tried to make him immortal by holding the infant by his heel and dipping him into the River Styx. Definition: said about a strong situation which contains an element of vulnerability. weakness or vulnerability. Chocolate was Mary's Achilles' heel; whenever it was around, she couldn't resist Idiom The icy, bitter night seemed to disappear as Sally curled up next to the warm, crackling fire. Achilles' heel A weakness that may not seem important but is actually mortal. He eventually was killed by an arrow shot into his heel. He's a good golfer, but his Achilles' heel is his putting and it's often made him lose matches. Please send us your suggestion, and we could feature it in the next update. I know what it is. Although it can refer to a physical weakness or limitation, this idiom can refer to any perceived weakness. The term became a literary metaphor about two centuries ago and remains current as a cliché. Sort:Relevancy A - Z. achilles' heel: a weak point or fault in someone or something otherwise perfect or excellent: Rate it: (0.00 / 0 votes) bring to heel: To be forced to obey. The common phrase "Achilles' heel" refers to a surprising weakness or vulnerability in an otherwise strong or powerful person, a vulnerability that eventually leads to a downfall. Today, the tendon that stretches up the calf from the heel is called the Achilles tendon. Since English is widely spoken across cultures, there are different idiomatic expressions that arise. A vulnerable spot that leads to a downfall. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, Proteins in the stretch: tugging at single molecules reveals their secrets. Improper security measures were the failed company's Achilles' heel. Like every hero, he has an Achilles heel. 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