Achilles heel
One critical weakness
An Achilles heel is a weakness or vulnerable point in someone or something that is otherwise strong.
The expression comes from Greek mythology: the hero Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, where his mother held him when dipping him in the river Styx.
Overconfidence was his Achilles heel.
The phrase often appears in contexts where a single flaw undermines an otherwise formidable person, plan, or system.
- kryptonitePersonal weakness or vulnerability
- glass jawInability to absorb blows
- weak pointExploitable flaw or vulnerability
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- soft spotEmotional vulnerability or fondness
vulnerability · flaw · chink in the armor · downfall · chink · blind spot · soft underbelly · fragility · weak spot · weakness · Styx · Greek mythology · Trojan War · Greek hero · pressure point · mortality · Paris · shortcoming
- Historical AllusionsTrojan horse, Pyrrhic victory, crossing the Rubicon, Pandora's box, sword of Damocles
- Greek & RomanTrojan horse, Pandora's box, Midas touch, Odyssey, Sisyphean
- Greek mythologyZeus, Athena, Apollo, Hera, Poseidon
- Mythological WordsAdonis, aegis, ambrosia, Apollo, Apollonian
- EponymsDarwinian, Alzheimer's disease, Freudian slip, cardigan, Parkinson's disease
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
Achilles heelarmor
Protective combat covering
invulnerability · shield · impenetrability · strong suit · forte
Achilles heelstrong point
Natural area of advantage
superpower · trump card · secret weapon · ace in the hole · strong suit
Achilles heelasset
Item of value owned
advantage · edge · competitive advantage · saving grace · ace up one's sleeve
heel, heels, heeled, heeling, Achilles, Achilles tendon, Achilles' heel