IdiomDaily Life
English
EnglishAchilles' heel
Meaning: A person's weakness or the vulnerable spot in his or her character.
Example: “His temper is his Achilles' heel.”
Equivalents in other languages
French: Le ventre mou Literally: The soft belly
Origin: Achilles was a figure in Greek mythology who was invulnerable in battle except for his heel. It was the one weak spot on his body.
More English idioms
- all wet Wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable.
- at the drop of a hat On any pretext; without needing an excuse or reason.
- at the end of one's rope No longer able to deal with a bad situation.
- ax to grind A hidden reason for wanting something or for not liking someone or something.
- backhanded compliment A criticism that is phrased in such a way that it appears to be a compliment.
- have bats in one's belfry Harmlessly crazy or eccentric.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. A 'b / t / tt' plosive drill that bounces between Betty, butter, and bitter.
- She sells seashells by the seashore. The definitive 's' versus 'sh' alternation — the tongue has to switch place of articulati…
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A relentless 'p' plosive drill; a peck is an old dry measure of about nine litres.
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