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weak
bring it weak
To bring or exert less force, energy, or skill than one is capable of or which is required to accomplish a task. Our next opponents are at the top of the division, so we can't bring it weak when we play them tomorrow.
weak tea
slang Something that is particularly underwhelming or unimpressive. Many have felt like the president's run in office has been rather weak tea compared to the bold promises he made during his campaign.
weak in the knees
Unsteady or flustered due to a strong emotional reaction to someone or something. Hearing the news of my father's sudden death, I went weak in the knees and could barely remain standing. Just thinking about Samantha makes me feel weak in the knees.
go weak at the knees
To become unsteady or flustered due to a strong emotional reaction to someone or something. Hearing the news of my father's sudden death, I went weak at the knees and could barely remain standing. Just thinking about Samantha makes me go weak at the knees.
go weak in the knees
To become unsteady or flustered due to having a strong emotional reaction to someone or something. Hearing the news of my father's sudden death, I went weak in the knees and could barely remain standing. Just thinking about Samantha makes me go weak in the knees.
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link
If one part of something is weak, it jeopardizes the integrity, quality, or effectiveness of the whole. I need to make sure that everyone on our debate team is well-prepared, since a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
weak-kneed
Lacking resolve; easily swayed or frightened. You can definitely get someone weak-kneed like Tim to do this stupid project for you. You'll never convince them to give you a raise if you go into the meeting weak-kneed.
weak link
Someone or something considered inferior to the other parts of a group, series, or mechanism. The weak link in computer security is almost always the end user. Derek hardly ever comes to class, so I'm not surprised he was the weak link in our group project.
chain is no stronger than its weakest link
Prov. A successful group or team relies on each member doing well. George is completely out of shape. I don't want him on our ball team; a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Prov. People cannot always do what they know they ought to do.; People are not always physically capable of doing what they are willing to do. (Biblical.) Alan: Have you started the diet your doctor recommended? Fred: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
*weak as a baby
and *weak as a kittenCliché [of someone] physically very weak.(Also: as ~.) Six weeks of illness left the athlete as weak as a baby. John is as weak as a kitten because he doesn't eat well.
weak link (in the chain)
Fig. the weak point or person in a system or organization. Joan's hasty generalizations about the economy were definitely the weak link in her argument.
weak sister
a timid person, usually a male. It looks like Dave is the weak sister on the team. We've got to pull together and stop playing like a bunch of weak sisters.
a weak link (in the chain)
the weakest part of a system or the weakest member of a group of people that could cause the whole system or group to fail It's a strong team, though the goalkeeper may be a weak link because he's rather inexperienced. The weak link in the chain is the computer software that controls the system.
have a weak spot for somebody/something
(American) to feel attraction to or affection for someone or something Sarah has a weak spot for basketball players.
weak at the knees
if someone goes weak at the knees, they feel as if they might fall down because they have a sudden strong emotion about something or someone The very thought of jumping out of an aircraft with a parachute made him go weak at the knees. He was so gorgeous, I felt weak at the knees every time he spoke to me.
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the
One would like to undertake something but hasn't the energy or strength to do so. For example, Another set of tennis? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Today often used as a rueful admission of weariness or other physical weakness, this idiom was first recorded in the New Testament (Matthew 26:41), where Jesus tells his disciples: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." A modern equivalent is I would if I could but I can't.
weak as a kitten
Feeble and fragile, as in After that bout with flu she was weak as a kitten. This simile has largely replaced weak as a cat, from the early 1800s.
weak link
The least dependable member of a group, as in The shipping department, slow in getting out orders, is our weak link in customer service , or They're all very capable designers except for Ron, who is clearly the weak link. This expression alludes to the fragile portion of a chain, where it is most likely to break. [Mid-1800s]
weak moment, in a
At a time of weakness or little resistance, as in In a weak moment I agreed to let our son rent a truck.
weak sister
n. a timid person, usually a male. Another weak sister and we’ll have to quit. We’ve got to pull together.