broken reed
Disappointing source of help
A broken reed is a person or thing that proves unreliable when depended upon—support that fails when you lean on it.
The image comes from a reed staff that snaps under pressure: He turned out to be a broken reed when we needed him most.
The phrase appears in the Bible and carries a literary or formal tone.
Not deserving of confidence
- undependableNot consistently trustworthy
- fickleErratically disloyal in affection
- flakyCrumbly or unreliable
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
unreliable · failing · faltering · letdown · disappointment · disillusionment · false hope · poor judgment
Liable to shatter
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- tenuousLacking solid foundation
shatterable · crumbly · snapping · splintering · crushed · bent · damaged · deteriorating
Weak and ineffective
- frailWeak and breakable
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- helplessUnable to act independently
impotent · incapable · inadequate · flimsy · insubstantial · wavering · faltering · crumbling
untrustworthy
Not deserving of confidence
- undependableNot consistently trustworthy
- fickleErratically disloyal in affection
- flakyCrumbly or unreliable
inconsistent · unreliable · failing · faltering · letdown · disappointment · disillusionment · false hope · poor judgment · betrayal
brittle
Liable to shatter
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- vulnerableOpen to attack
tenuous · shatterable · crumbly · snapping · splintering · crushed · bent · damaged · deteriorating · decaying
feeble
Weak and ineffective
- frailWeak and breakable
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
helpless · impotent · incapable · inadequate · flimsy · insubstantial · wavering · faltering · crumbling · collapsing
Isaiah
Hebrew prophet, major book
staff · pierce · hand · prophecy · scripture · parable · allegory · warning · folly · trust
- Untrustworthy Thingsfair-weather friend, snake in the grass, wolf in sheep's clothing, two-faced, false prophet
broken reedrock
Solid earthen material
pillar of strength · tower of strength · mainstay · stalwart · anchor
broken reedsolid foundation
bedrock · pillar · steel girder · stronghold · fortress
broken, reed, break, broke, breaks, breaking, reeds, reedy, reedlike