Achilles' Heel

Pronunciation: /əˈkɪliːz hiːl/

Definitions of Achilles' heel

noun Achilles' heel - a weakness or vulnerable point in someone or something

Example Sentences

A1 My Achilles' heel is my lack of confidence in public speaking.

A2 Her Achilles' heel is her tendency to procrastinate.

B1 His Achilles' heel in the competition was his lack of stamina.

B2 The team's Achilles' heel turned out to be their inability to work together effectively.

C1 The company's Achilles' heel was revealed to be their outdated technology infrastructure.

C2 Despite his many strengths, his Achilles' heel was his inability to delegate tasks effectively.

Examples of Achilles' heel in a Sentence

formal The lack of proper cybersecurity measures is often considered the company's Achilles' heel.

informal His Achilles' heel is definitely his love for junk food.

slang She knows that her fear of public speaking is her Achilles' heel.

figurative Procrastination is my Achilles' heel when it comes to meeting deadlines.

Grammatical Forms of Achilles' heel

• past tense: Achilles' heeled
• plural: Achilles' heels
• comparative: more Achilles' heeled
• superlative: most Achilles' heeled
• present tense: Achilles' heels
• future tense: will be Achilles' heeled
• perfect tense: has been Achilles' heeled
• continuous tense: is being Achilles' heeled
• singular: Achilles' heel
• positive degree: Achilles' heel
• infinitive: to Achilles' heel
• gerund: Achilles' heeling
• participle: Achilles' heeled

Origin and Evolution of Achilles' heel

First Known Use: 1810 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The origin of the term 'Achilles' heel' can be traced back to Greek mythology. In the story of Achilles, a hero of the Trojan War, his mother Thetis dipped him in the River Styx to make him invulnerable. However, she held him by the heel, leaving that spot vulnerable. This weakness eventually led to Achilles' downfall when he was struck in the heel by an arrow.

Evolution of the word: The term 'Achilles' heel' has evolved to refer to a person's vulnerable point or weakness, often used in a metaphorical sense. It is commonly used in contexts outside of Greek mythology to describe a fatal flaw or vulnerability that can lead to someone's downfall.