weakest link
Chain's breaking spot
The weakest link is the most vulnerable component in a system or group—the part most likely to fail or cause failure.
From the proverb that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link: if one link breaks, the whole chain fails.
Our defense is solid except for the weakest link at cornerback.
Often used to identify who or what limits overall performance.
Failure or decomposition
- collapseSudden structural failure
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- flawImperfection in something
fault · error · glitch · bug · shortcoming · deficiency · rupture · fracture
One missing their targets
- deadweightInert, unproductive mass
- burdenOppressive weight or duty
- dragResistance through fluid
- hindranceBarrier to progress
impediment · handicap · laggard · straggler · detriment · drawback · carried · bottleneck
State of mutual linkage
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- networkInterconnected system
- concatenationJoining items end-to-end
- bondBinding tie or connection
continuity · cohesion · nexus · series · mesh · web · interrelation · interdependency
Act of removing entirely
- contestantsCompetition participants
- BBCBritish public broadcaster
- triviaUnimportant miscellaneous facts
- bankPlace holding deposits
goodbye · round · quiz · television · competition · strategy · alliance
Out in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- exploitableAble to be abused
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
soft target · attack vector · security flaw · penetrable · breachable · compromised · at risk · prone
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- collapseSudden structural failure
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
flaw · fault · error · glitch · bug · shortcoming · deficiency · rupture · fracture · misstep
underperformer
One missing their targets
- deadweightInert, unproductive mass
- burdenOppressive weight or duty
- dragResistance through fluid
hindrance · impediment · handicap · laggard · straggler · detriment · drawback · carried · bottleneck · hold back
interconnectedness
State of mutual linkage
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- networkInterconnected system
- concatenationJoining items end-to-end
bond · continuity · cohesion · nexus · series · mesh · web · interrelation · interdependency · structure
elimination
Act of removing entirely
- contestantsCompetition participants
- BBCBritish public broadcaster
- triviaUnimportant miscellaneous facts
bank · goodbye · round · quiz · television · competition · strategy · alliance
exposed
Out in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- exploitableAble to be abused
- defenselessWithout means to resist
unprotected · soft target · attack vector · security flaw · penetrable · breachable · compromised · at risk · prone · point of entry
- security principlesdefense in depth, need to know, zero trust, confidentiality, availability
- TV lingoon air, off air, showrunner, cliffhanger, cue
- eliminated contestantsloser, evictee, sent home, cut, axed
weakest linkpillar of strength
Dependable source of support
linchpin · cornerstone · backbone · keystone · anchor
weakest linkMVP
Best player award
star player · crown jewel · top performer · key player · driving force
weak, weaker, weakest, weakly, weaken, weakens, weakened, weakening, weakness