achilles heel

IPA/əˌkɪliːz ˈhiːl/
IPA/əˌkɪliːz ˈhiːl/

achilles heel — 名詞

1. a hidden but dangerous flaw within a person, team, or organization that could ca

1.名詞B2
釋義

致命弱點

導致失敗的關鍵弱點

a hidden but dangerous flaw within a person, team, or organization that could cause everything to collapse when pressure is applied

例句

Dmitri's inability to delegate tasks was his achilles heel as a manager.

Dmitri 不善授權，這是他當主管的致命弱點。

possessor + achilles heel: naming someone's weak point

The café's achilles heel was its location — tucked away on a quiet side street.

這間咖啡館的致命弱點就是地點——藏在安靜的巷弄裡。

inanimate possessor: organization's weak point

常見搭配
  • prove to be one's achilles heel
  • remain one's achilles heel
  • consider something one's achilles heel
  • become the achilles heel of
同義詞
  • weak spot

    more general and less dramatic; can refer to any area of poor performance, not necessarily a fatal one

  • vulnerability

    more formal and technical; focuses on openness to attack rather than a specific point of failure

  • soft underbelly

    more informal and vivid; emphasizes the part that is easy to attack

反義詞
  • strong suit

    a person's or thing's best quality or area of strength

  • forte

    formal; refers to something someone does very well

文法句型

possessor + achilles heel

be someone's achilles heel

用法筆記

Almost always singular; the plural form 'achilles heels' is extremely rare. The possessor typically precedes the phrase: 'the team's achilles heel' or 'her achilles heel.' Common in sports, business, and personal-development contexts.

常見錯誤

The slow internet is the achilles heel of the office.
The slow internet is the office's achilles heel.
The possessor ('the office') should come before 'achilles heel' with a possessive, or use 'of the office' after it. Both patterns are common.
Lack of funding was their achilles heels.
Lack of funding was their achilles heel.
The phrase is almost always singular, even when referring to a group.