- Refers to a person's or system's specific point of vulnerability or weakness, despite overall strength.
Explanation
Origin
- From Greek mythology. The warrior Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel.
- His mother, Thetis, dipped him in the River Styx to make him immortal, but she held him by his heel, which remained untouched by the water and thus mortal.
- He was eventually killed by an arrow (shot by Paris) that struck him in his vulnerable heel.
- The idiom signifies that even the strongest have a weak spot.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Kryptonite (Refers to Superman's weakness, similar concept)
- Weak spot
- The thing that gets me
Milder/Common/Formal:
- Weakness
- Vulnerability
- Area for improvement (Business jargon)
- Downside / Drawback
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from informal conversation to formal analysis (essays, business reports).
- It's a well-understood idiom.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- People unfamiliar with Greek mythology might not grasp the meaning immediately, though context usually makes it clear. Ensure the audience is likely to understand the reference or provide context.
Examples
- Math is my Achilles' heel; I'm good at other subjects.
- The company's reliance on a single supplier proved to be its Achilles' heel.
- Despite his confidence, public speaking was his Achilles' heel.
Dialogue
Manager A: Our team is strong, but coordinating across different time zones is our Achilles' heel.
Manager B: I agree. We need a better system for that. It slows down every project.
Manager A: Exactly. Let's brainstorm some solutions.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: My Achilles' heel? Definitely procrastination. I'll deal with it... later. 😉 #procrastination #weakness
- LinkedIn Post: Identifying your business's Achilles' heel is the first step towards strengthening it. What's yours? #businessstrategy #riskmanagement
- Blog Comment: Great analysis of the team's performance, but you didn't mention their defense, which is clearly their Achilles' heel.
Response Patterns
- Understanding/Agreement: Ah, I see, That makes sense, Everyone has one.
- Curiosity: Really? Why is that difficult for you?
- Relating: I know what you mean, my Achilles' heel is...
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: Why is that a weakness for them/you?, How does that affect things?, Is there a way to overcome it?
- The speaker might elaborate on the nature of the weakness or its consequences.
Conversation Starter
- Not typically. It usually comes up during a discussion about strengths and weaknesses or analyzing a situation.
Intonation
- Typically spoken with normal sentence stress. Emphasis might fall slightly on Achilles' or heel depending on context. Usually, heel receives the primary stress as it's the core of the vulnerability metaphor. ...his ACHILles' HEEL.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations, though requires knowledge of the mythological reference (which is fairly common).
Regional Variations
- Used and understood across all major English-speaking regions.