Achilles' heel
One exploitable weakness
Achilles' heel is a fatal weakness in someone or something otherwise strong.
In Greek myth, the hero Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, where his mother held him when dipping him in the river Styx.
The phrase now describes any critical vulnerability: Overconfidence was his Achilles' heel.
Also spelled Achilles heel.
Exploitable flaw or vulnerability
- soft spotEmotional vulnerability or fondness
- chink in the armorExploitable flaw in defenses
- fatal flawRuinous character defect
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
exposed flank · susceptibility · defenselessness · liability · hamartia · tragic flaw · kryptonite · underbelly
weak point
Exploitable flaw or vulnerability
- soft spotEmotional vulnerability or fondness
- chink in the armorExploitable flaw in defenses
- fatal flawRuinous character defect
blind spot · exposed flank · susceptibility · defenselessness · liability · hamartia · tragic flaw · kryptonite · underbelly · downfall
Achilles' heelstrength
Power to exert force
strong point · forte · invulnerability · armor · impenetrability
Achilles' heelsaving grace
Compensating good quality
redeeming quality · trump card · ace in the hole · secret weapon · silver lining
Achilles' heelstrong suit
One's greatest ability
asset · advantage · superpower · gift · talent