Chink in the armour

Meaning

The idiom "chink in the armour" refers to a weakness or vulnerability that can be exploited by an attacker, often metaphorically. It is commonly used to describe a person's personality flaw, habit, or behavior that makes them more vulnerable to criticism or manipulation.

Usage

• The politician's chink in the armour was his tendency to make controversial statements without fully understanding their implications.
• The actor's chink in the armour was his reliance on overly exaggerated facial expressions to get attention.
• The company's chink in the armour was its failure to invest in new technology, making it vulnerable to competitors.
• The athlete's chink in the armour was her lack of discipline when it came to nutrition and training.
• The politician's chink in the armour was his tendency to exaggerate his accomplishments in order to get votes.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom is unclear, but it may have roots in the military strategy of "punching holes" in an enemy's armor to exploit weak points. The first known use of the phrase was in the 16th century, when it was used to describe a person's physical weakness or vulnerability. Over time, the idiom has evolved to refer to more metaphorical weaknesses or vulnerabilities, such as personality flaws or behaviors that can be exploited by others.

Synonyms in English

• Achilles' heel
• Vulnerability
• Weakness
• Flaw
• Fault

Synonyms in other languages

• "La caja negra" - Spanish (black box)
• "Die schwarze Katze" - German (the black cat)
• "El pico de la montaña" - Spanish (the summit of the mountain)
• "Le poil de chien" - French (a dog's hair)
• "La cicada" - Italian (the cicada)

Similar Idioms

• vice versa

• as well as

• sea change