weak spot
24
2.7
- noun
:
punto débil
- The teacher pointed out the weak spot in the student's argument during the debate.
These things are engineered for the weak spots in our psychology.
- These things are engineered for the weak spots in our psychology.
- Unless, of course, you find my tiny little weak spot.
- But maybe I think to back up, I think I've identified my weak spot and that is I'm afraid to ask for money.
- And often we, we all of us, myself included, neglect the weak spots.
- And one of them was like Luke Skywalker going around the Death Star looking for the weak spot.
- They've already got a weak spot and then the loss of another close friend or pet just sends them down.
- But if you hit a certain weak spot, then.
- The second sector was our a weak spot if you'd like.
Examples
-
First, despite substantial overall success, the manufacturing sector certainly does have its weak spots.
Academic text (1994) -
Keeping records helps to identify the weak spots of the business (those spots that require improvement).
Academic text (1997) -
Or did I just do them a favor, right, by finding this weak spot on that plane?
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So the weak spot in your story, me looking in from the outside, is your income.
-
I know what his weak spot is.
-
Her tail is her weak spot.
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So that would be the weak spot for the wires.
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Our weak spot is the editorial department.
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Manufacturing is clearly the weak spot right now, in large part due to the slowing global economy.
Blog text (33) -
Atlanta's biggest weak spot on both sides of the ball is the running game.
Blog text (32)
Synonyms
344
1.7
A fault in a person or thing that makes them less effective
12
3.0
A part of a person or thing that is not strong and can cause problems
5
4.4
A weak part of a person, thing, or system that can be easily harmed
5
6.6
The weakest part of something that is easy to attack or damage
2
6.7
A weak part of a plan or organization that others can easily take advantage of
1
4.2
A place that is likely to fail or be harmed
1
7.4
A small weakness in a person, group, or system that others can use
1
5.3
An area people see as a weakness or cause of problems
Antonyms
How Weak
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a point of vulnerability' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'weak' (not strong, vulnerable) with 'spot' (a place or point). This adjective + noun composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern (e.g. Spanish 'punto débil', French 'point faible'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will reliably infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase weak spot comes from the simple image of a part that is weaker than the rest — a weak spot that breaks first under pressure. That's why we use it to mean a place or quality that is 'vulnerable' or 'easy to defeat' in a person, team, or system.