Achilles' heel

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This article deals with the phrase "Achilles' heel". For the part of the body, see Achilles tendon; for the album, see Achilles Heel (album).

An Achilles' heel is a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength, actually or potentially leading to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to their downfall are common.

Origin

In the myths surrounding the Trojan War, Achilles died from a heel wound as the result of an arrow fired by Paris.

According to a myth arising later, his mother, Thetis, had dipped the infant Achilles in the river Styx, holding onto him by his heel, and he became invulnerable where the waters touched him -- that is, everywhere but the areas covered by her thumb and forefinger -- implying that only a heel wound could have been his downfall.

The use of "Achilles' heel" (or "Achilles heel") as an English expression for "area of weakness, vulnerable spot" dates only to 1855 (Merriam-Webster), or, in the form "heel of Achilles," 1810 (OED: Coleridge, "Ireland, that vulnerable heel of the British Achilles".)

The Achilles' heel as a singular weakness is a cliche in superhero comics.

Achilles' heel

Origin

See also