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The idiom “Achilles’ heel” in English Grammar refers to a person’s point of greatest vulnerability or weakness, despite their overall strength. This idiom is usually used when discussing a flaw or weakness that can lead to downfall or failure, particularly in an otherwise strong or successful person or situation. For example, if a brilliant student struggles with time management, it could be said that time management is their Achilles’ heel, as it may be the one aspect that impedes their overall academic success. Read on to learn more about the meaning, origin, and usage of the Achilles’ heel Idiom, discover its synonyms, and test your understanding with a quick quiz!
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Achilles Heel: Meaning, Origin and Example
As you have already learned, the idiom “Achilles’ heel” refers to a person’s biggest weakness, even if they are strong in other areas. Furthermore, this idiom is used when talking about something small that could cause problems or failure for someone who is otherwise very capable. For example, if someone is very good at sports but has a fear of public speaking, people may say that public speaking is their Achilles’ heel, meaning it is the one thing that makes them nervous or could hold them back.
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Achilles Heel Idiom Example Sentences
After getting through with the meaning and origin of the idiom “Achilles Heel” here are 5 example sentences of the idiom so that you can understand how to use it.
- Despite his incredible speed, his love for creamy food was his Achilles’ heel in maintaining peak athletic performance.
- She was a brilliant student, but her Achilles’ heel was her tendency to procrastinate before exams.
- His Achilles’ heel in the relationship was his inability to communicate his feelings sincerely.
- The hero’s Achilles’ heel was his overwhelming sense of pride, which repeatedly led to irresponsible decisions.
- Even though she was a skilled chess player, her Achilles’ heel was her lack of patience during long matches.
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Synonyms of Achilles Heel Idiom
After understanding the meaning and usage examples of the idiom, here are some synonyms that communicate the idea of a fault or weakness that may cause someone or something to fail.
| Vulnerable spot | Weak spot |
| Weakness | Weak point |
| Shortcoming | Imperfection |
| Flaw | Defect |
| Chink in one’s armour | Frailty |
Explore more exciting Synonyms below!
| Synonyms of Environment | Synonyms of Brave |
| Synonyms of Journey | Synonyms of Beauty |
| Synonyms of Believe | Synonyms of Ability |
Achilles Heel Idiom Quiz
After you have gone through all the details related to the ‘Achilles Heel’ idiom, it is time to test your learning with the help of this quiz!
Q1. Which sentence correctly uses the idiom “Achilles’ heel”?
a) His love for sweets was his Achilles heel.
b) His love for sweets was his Achilles’ heel.
c) His love for sweets was his Achilles heels.
d) His love for sweets was Achilles’ heel.
Q2. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Her Achilles’ heels is her fear of public speaking.
b) Her Achilles’ heel is her fear of public speaking.
c) Her Achilles’ heel are her fear of public speaking.
d) Her Achilles’ heel is her fear of public speak.
Q3. In the sentence “This small mistake was his Achilles’ heel,” what does “Achilles’ heel” represent?
a) A strength
b) A weakness
c) A habit
d) A talent
Q4. Choose the sentence that correctly applies the idiom “Achilles’ heel”:
a) His Achilles’ heel was that he never gave up.
b) She won the race despite her Achilles’ heel.
c) His tendency to trust too easily was his Achilles’ heel.
d) He considered his Achilles’ heel a great asset.
Q5. Which word is a synonym for “Achilles’ heel” in this context: “The lack of funding became the project’s Achilles’ heel”?
a) Strength
b) Advantage
c) Vulnerability
d) Achievement
Here are your answers!
- Answer: b) His love for sweets was his Achilles’ heel.
- Answer: b) Her Achilles’ heel is her fear of public speaking.
- Answer: b) A weakness
- Answer: c) His tendency to trust too easily was his Achilles’ heel.
- Answer: c) Vulnerability
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FAQs
The idiom “Achilles’ heel” refers to a person’s vulnerable point or weakness, despite their overall strength or resilience. It originates from Greek mythology, where Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, which ultimately led to his downfall.
You can use Achilles heel in a sentence this way, “The company’s Achilles heel was its dependence on a single supplier, which left it vulnerable to disruptions in the supply chain.”
The phrase “Achilles’ heel” refers to a weakness or vulnerable point in someone or something that can lead to their downfall, despite overall strength or ability.
An example of Achilles heel is, a skilled athlete might be great in every aspect of their sport but struggle with free-throw shooting, hence making it their Achilles heel.
The term is called “Achilles’ heel” as it originates from Greek mythology, specifically from the story of Achilles, a great warrior whose mother dipped him in the River Styx to make him invulnerable. However, she held him by his heel during the process, leaving that one spot vulnerable, which eventually led to his downfall when he was fatally wounded there by an arrow shot by Paris during the Trojan War.
An example of an Achilles heel in literature can be found in Charles Jensen’s poem “Complaint of Achilles’ Heel,” where the speaker reflects on their vulnerabilities and weaknesses, drawing a parallel to the Greek hero Achilles, who was eventually defeated because of his singular weakness despite his overall strength.
Achilles, in Greek mythology, is a legendary hero of the Trojan War, renowned as the greatest warrior among the Greeks and the central character in Homer’s Iliad.
This was all about the Achilles Heel Idiom. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.
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