feet of clay

English

Etymology

Used in the Bible in Daniel 2:34, part of the description of the huge statue in the dream of Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar.

Noun

feet of clay (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) In someone apparently strong and without failings, a hidden weakness which could cause his or her downfall.

   He was disillusioned to find that even Lincoln had feet of clay.

Translations

a hidden weak point

• French: pieds d'argile (fr) m
• German: tönerne Füße (de) m pl
• Greek:

  Ancient Greek: please add this translation if you can

• Latin: please add this translation if you can
• Polish: please add this translation if you can
• Russian: глиняные ноги (ru) (glínjanyje nógi) f pl
• Spanish: please add this translation if you can

See also

• Achilles heel