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chink

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chink up (something)

To fill in or patch narrow openings, such as cracks or fissures (chinks), of something. We live in an area that experiences a lot of earthquakes each year, so we've gotten pretty good at chinking up the walls of our house.

See also: chink, up

chink in one's armor

Fig. a special weakness that provides a means for attacking or impressing someone otherwise invulnerable. (Alludes to an opening in a suit of armor that allows a weapon to penetrate.) Jane's insecurity is the chink in her armor. The boss seems mean, but the chink in his armor is that he is easily flattered.

See also: armor, chink

a chink in somebody's armour

  (British & Australian) also a chink in somebody's armor (American & Australian)

if someone or something which seems to be strong has a chink in their armour, they have a small fault which may cause them problems She's a brilliant businesswoman, but her lack of political awareness may be the chink in her armour.

See also: armour, chink

chink in one's armor

A vulnerable area, as in Putting things off to the last minute is the chink in Pat's armor and is bound to get her in trouble one day . This term relies on chink in the sense of "a crack or gap," a meaning dating from about 1400 and used figuratively since the mid-1600s.

See also: armor, chink