weakest link
28
4.3
- noun
- Informal
:
eslabón más débil
- The new software update revealed the weakest link in our security system, which we need to address soon.
- stronger than its weakest link
- weakest link in the chain
And for this, the weakest link will get hit with the bets.
- And for this, the weakest link will get hit with the bets.
- And someones like, well, you're obviously the weak link like in all of this.
- Because as long as that weak link exists, it brings our whole nation down.
- I'm just like the the weakest link.
- And the weak link, the weak link in this whole chain of reasoning is the GPS system.
- And This is why Matt, I think is is a weak link here.
- So you could potentially have quite a few weak, weak links.
- But not asked is Ashley Young and and he is the weak link in that team.
- So yeah, the TV is basically always the weakest link when it comes to living room PC gaming setups.
- And it, you know, the, the metaphor is, is, is so true that the chain is, is, is, is is essentially dominated by that weakest link.
- And what I mean by weakest link is so go back to Tolstoy.
- Obviously I was the youngest one is the weakest link.
Examples
-
"Maybe I'm the weak link for being afraid to let him go."
Fiction book (1990) -
Another reported that inadequate funding makes the state education agency the "weak link" in EE in-service education.
Academic text (1996) -
I will not be the weak link!
-
Every squad has got one weak link.
-
William Sharp is the weak link.
-
Brad was the weak link of the bunch.
-
The core problem is also the weak link in the operation when it concerns achieving the goal of the company.
Academic text (2002) -
Well, nothing against her personally, of course but, uh, professionally, she is without doubt the weak link around here.
-
And the weak link, the weak link in this whole chain of reasoning is the GPS system.
-
In some respects, teachers could be considered the weak link in the evolution of change.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
34
3.5
A person or thing people attack and take advantage of because it is weak
24
2.7
A part that others can easily attack or use against someone
12
3.0
A part of a person or thing that is not strong and can cause problems
11
6.3
A small but serious weakness in someone or something that can cause failure
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
9.0
A person who others in a group see as the least able or not brave
How Weak
- Informal
28
4.3
1
4.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'weakest' (least strong) modifies 'link' (a connection or component), so it conveys the least strong or most vulnerable part of a system. The chain/link metaphor is common cross-linguistically and follows standard adjective + noun composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words will very likely infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Weakest link comes from the image of a chain, where the weakest link can break first and make the whole chain fail. So calling someone the weakest link means they are the 'least effective' or most likely to cause a problem in a group.