weakness

have a weakness for (someone or something)

To have a special affinity for someone or something; to find someone or something irresistible. I have a weakness for candy bars, so Halloween is my favorite holiday. Jon has a weakness for redheads, so of course he's dating another ginger. Stu has a weakness for Patty, so I'm sure he'll clear his schedule once he hears she's in town.

See also: for, have, weakness

in a moment of weakness

During a moment in which one fails to have the discipline to act according to one's principles or better judgment and instead does something regrettable. I admit that, in a moment of weakness, I accepted a bribe to allow development to proceed without proper safety measures in place. I'm so sorry I cheated on you. I gave in to my base desires in a moment of weakness, and I'm ashamed of what I did. Our nicotine lozenges help you control your cravings in moments of weakness.

See also: moment, of, weakness

moment of weakness

A moment when one fails to have the discipline to act according to one's principles or better judgment and instead does something regrettable. I admit that, in a moment of weakness, I accepted a bribe to allow development to proceed without proper safety measures in place. I'm so sorry I cheated on you. It was a moment of weakness, and I'm ashamed of what I did.

See also: moment, of, weakness

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have a weakness for someone or something

Fig. to be unable to resist someone or something; to be (figuratively) powerless against someone or something. I have a weakness for chocolate. John has a weakness for Mary. I think he's in love.

See also: for, have, weakness

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have a weakness for

Be susceptible to; also, like or enjoy. For example, She has a weakness for older men, or Bill has a weakness for fine wine. [c. 1700]

See also: for, have, weakness

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.