soft spot
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.
Noun
-
any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus
-
a sentimental affection
-
she had a soft spot for her youngest son
-
-
a place of especial vulnerability
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ trái nghĩa
