Achilles heel

The expression Achilles heel is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the Achilles heel idiom.

Meaning of "Achilles heel"

Meaning

The phrase "Achilles heel" is an idiom that refers to a hidden, usually weak, point or vulnerability that could ultimately lead to someone's downfall. It originates from Greek mythology, in which the hero Achilles was said to have been killed by an arrow to the heel, the only part of his body that was not protected by the magical armor given to him by the Greek gods.

Etymology

The term originated from the Greek myth of Achilles. Achilles was an invulnerable warrior: legend has it that he was born with magical armor given to him by the gods as a protection from harm. According to the legend, Achilles was killed by a single arrow shot in his heel, the only uncovered part of his body due to his divine armor. The term "Achilles heel" refers to this moment in the narrative, the fatal wound that Achilles received in his heel.

Usage

The idiom “Achilles heel” is often used to describe any hidden weakness or vulnerability that could lead to someone’s downfall. It is used in everyday situations when one person might have a particular talent or strength, but also has a particular weakness that can be exploited to their disadvantage. For example, someone might have a great business plan, but be extremely poor at managing their finances, which could be their “Achilles heel”.

Example Sentences

• Her Achilles heel was her lack of experience in the field, which eventually led to her downfall.
• He had every advantage in life, but his Achilles heel was his inability to take criticism.
• The company had a great product, but its Achilles heel was its poor customer service.
• Their Achilles heel was the fact that they had no backup plan in case their initial strategy failed.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.