World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariestalon d'Achille
Pronunciation / Transliteration: talon d'a-shil
"Le manque de financement est le talon d'Achille de ce projet."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A weakness or vulnerable point in an otherwise strong situation or character that can lead to downfall.
"His inability to handle criticism proved to be his Achilles' heel throughout his political career." - 2
A solitary flaw in a system or strategy that compromises its overall security or effectiveness.
"Although the software is extremely secure, the login authentication remains its primary Achilles' heel."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from ancient Greek mythology, where the hero Achilles was dipped in the River Styx by his mother to make him invulnerable, except for the heel by which she held him. This fatal weakness ultimately led to his downfall when he was struck by a poisoned arrow in the heel during the Trojan War. The phrase transitioned into English usage to signify a vulnerable point that can lead to complete failure.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Achilles' heel"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Achilles' heel" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
talon d'Achille
Transliteration: talon d'a-shil
"Le manque de financement est le talon d'Achille de ce projet."
Achillesferse
Transliteration: a-ˈkɪl.əsˌfɛʁ.zə
"Mangelnde Geduld ist oft seine Achillesferse."
tallone d'Achille
Transliteration: tal-ˈlo-ne da-ˈkil-le
"La difesa è il tallone d'Achille della squadra."
talón de Aquiles
Transliteration: ta-ˈlon de a-ˈki-les
"La seguridad informática es el talón de Aquiles de muchas empresas."
calcanhar de Aquiles
Transliteration: kal-ka-ˈɲaʁ dji a-ˈki-lis
"A comunicação ineficaz é o calcanhar de Aquiles da organização."
कमज़ोर पहलू
Transliteration: kamzor pehlu
"अहंकार ही उसका सबसे बड़ा कमज़ोर पहलू साबित हुआ।"
致命弱点
Transliteration: zhì mìng ruò diǎn
"安全防范意识薄弱是这个系统的致命弱点。"
아킬레스건
Transliteration: akilreseu-geon
"자금 부족이 이번 프로젝트의 아킬레스건이다."
アキレス腱
Transliteration: akiresu-ken
"ディフェンスの弱さがチームのアキレス腱となっている。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsA barracks or building intended for the accommodation of soldiers, usually located within a fortified place.
A secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
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