soft spot

Học thuật
Thân thiện
soft spot

She has a soft spot for stray kittens.

Definition

Noun: 1. A sentimental affection or fondness for someone or something: A feeling of special liking, tenderness, or weakness towards a particular person, animal, or thing. 2. A place of especial vulnerability: A specific area, topic, or aspect that is weak or susceptible to criticism, attack, or failure. 3. Any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus: A technical, anatomical term for the fontanelle, a soft area on a baby's head where the skull bones have not yet fused.

Examples
  • Meaning 1 (Sentimental affection):
    • He has a real soft spot for rescue dogs.
    • Despite his tough exterior, the teacher had a soft spot for hardworking students.
  • Meaning 2 (Point of vulnerability):
    • His inability to say no is his soft spot.
    • The team's defense has a soft spot on the left side.
  • Meaning 3 (Anatomical feature):
    • The doctor gently checked the baby's soft spot during the check-up.
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase often implies that the affection or vulnerability is a slight weakness or a charming flaw in one's character or defenses.
  • Common collocations include "to have a soft spot for [someone/something]" and "a soft spot in [one's heart]."
Variants and Related Words
  • Soft-hearted (adj): Kind, sympathetic, and easily moved emotionally.
    • She's too soft-hearted to fire anyone.
  • Weak spot (n): A more general synonym, especially for meaning 2 (vulnerability).
    • Every argument has a weak spot.
Synonyms
  • For affection: Fondness, partiality, weakness, liking, tenderness.
  • For vulnerability: Weak point, Achilles' heel, vulnerability, flaw.
Related Phrases
  • Achilles' heel: A critical weakness that could lead to downfall. (Stronger and more dramatic than "soft spot").
    • His pride was his Achilles' heel.
  • Soft touch: A person who is easily persuaded or exploited, especially for money.
    • He's known as a soft touch for a loan.
Idioms
  • To have a soft spot in one's heart for someone/something: An extended form emphasizing the affectionate meaning.
    • Grandpa always had a soft spot in his heart for old jazz music.
soft spot

She has a soft spot for stray kittens.

Noun
  1. any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus
  2. a sentimental affection
    • she had a soft spot for her youngest son
  3. a place of especial vulnerability

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ trái nghĩa