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Meaning & use

fatal flaws

phrase·Advancedfigurative

Last updated

UK/ˌfeɪtl ˈflɔːz/
US/ˌfeɪtl ˈflɔːz/

“fatal flaws” is a form of “fatal flaw”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. phrasepluralfigurative

    Very serious weaknesses that cause a plan, argument, or system to fail completely.

    Grammar: Countable noun phrase; the singular is 'fatal flaw'.

    Patterns

    • fatal flaws in something
    • have fatal flaws
    • point out fatal flaws

    The report identified fatal flaws in the safety procedures.

    His argument has two fatal flaws that the opposition quickly exposed.

    The design had fatal flaws that only became clear after testing.

  2. phrasepluralliterary

    In literature, the character weaknesses of a hero that lead to their downfall.

    Grammar: Used especially in discussions of tragedy; often 'a fatal flaw' for one weakness.

    Patterns

    • a fatal flaw in a character
    • the hero's fatal flaw

    In many tragedies, the hero's fatal flaws are pride and jealousy.

    The play explores the fatal flaws that destroy the main character.

    Teachers often ask students to identify the fatal flaws of a tragic hero.

Word forms

singularfatal flaw
pluralfatal flaws

Common combinations

fatal flaw in the argument
There is a fatal flaw in the argument: it assumes everyone will agree.
a character's fatal flaw
Macbeth's fatal flaw is his ambition.
expose fatal flaws
The review exposed fatal flaws in the new software.
a fatal flaw in the design
Engineers found a fatal flaw in the design before production began.

Synonyms and how they differ

fatal weakness
Very close in meaning, but 'weakness' is more general and can be used for people or things; 'fatal flaw' often suggests a single decisive defect.
Achilles' heel
A single, often hidden weakness that causes downfall; more idiomatic and usually refers to a person or organization.

Opposites

strengthsvirtues

Word family

fatal adjective
Causing death or disaster; also used figuratively for something that ruins an outcome.
flaw noun
A fault or imperfection.
flawed adjective
Having a fault or weakness.

Commonly confused: fatal flaws or fatal flaw?

fatal flaws vs fatal flaw

The singular form. Use 'fatal flaw' for one weakness and 'fatal flaws' for more than one.

Practice

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