| Part of Speech | Definition | |
| Noun | 1. A seemingly small but actual mortal weakness.[Wordnet]. | |
Source: WordNet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. | Top | |
Common Expressions: Achilles' heel
| Expressions | Definition | ||
| Achilles' heel | A seemingly small but actual mortal weakness. Source: Wordnet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. | ||
| Achilles' heel | Achilles' heel refers to an apparently minor weakness in a powerful person that leads or may lead to his downfall. In Greek mythology, Achilles is made invulnerable by being dipped in the river Styx by his mother, Thetis. However, his mother held him by the heel and the patches of skin covered by her thumb and forefinger were left unprotected. Many years later, during the Trojan war, Achilles was killed by Paris with an arrow fired into his heel. (references) | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
