weak (redirected from weakest)

*weak as a baby and *weak as a kitten

Cliché [of someone] physically very weak.(Also: as ~.) Six weeks of illness left the athlete as weak as a baby. John is as weak as a kitten because he doesn't eat well.

See also: baby

chain is no stronger than its weakest link

Prov. A successful group or team relies on each member doing well. George is completely out of shape. I don't want him on our ball team; a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

See also: chain, link, strong

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Prov. People cannot always do what they know they ought to do.; People are not always physically capable of doing what they are willing to do. (Biblical.) Alan: Have you started the diet your doctor recommended? Fred: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

See also: but, flesh, spirit

weak link (in the chain)

Fig. the weak point or person in a system or organization. Joan's hasty generalizations about the economy were definitely the weak link in her argument.

See also: link

weak sister

a timid person, usually a male. It looks like Dave is the weak sister on the team. We've got to pull together and stop playing like a bunch of weak sisters.

See also: sister

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a weak link (in the chain)

the weakest part of a system or the weakest member of a group of people that could cause the whole system or group to fail It's a strong team, though the goalkeeper may be a weak link because he's rather inexperienced. The weak link in the chain is the computer software that controls the system.

See also: link

have a weak spot for somebody/something   (American)

to feel attraction to or affection for someone or something Sarah has a weak spot for basketball players.

See also: have, spot

weak at the knees

if someone goes weak at the knees, they feel as if they might fall down because they have a sudden strong emotion about something or someone The very thought of jumping out of an aircraft with a parachute made him go weak at the knees. He was so gorgeous, I felt weak at the knees every time he spoke to me.

See also: knee