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an Achilles' heel

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an Achilles' heel
a small fault in a person or system which might cause them to fail
Usage notes: Achilles was a man in Greek mythology (= an ancient set of stories) who was killed when he was injured on the heel. This was the only part of his body where he could be harmed.
As a team they're strong on attack but they have a weak defence that might prove to be their Achilles' heel. Vanity was his Achilles heel.
See also: heel


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? References in periodicals archive
``If I have to say we have an Achilles' heel, that's it right now - boxing out and getting those defensive rebounds,'' Brand said.
Acquisition costs are an Achilles' heel for traditional insurers.
An Achilles' heel in the future could be foul shooting.
 
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