Learn English – What word describes a person’s worst flaw

phrase-requestssingle-word-requests

Is there a word or phrase to describe the worst flaw that someone has? The closest thing I have found to what I'm looking for is fatal flaw (technically called hamartia), but that's a bit too specific:

In tragedy, hamartia is the protagonist’s error or flaw that leads to a chain of plot actions culminating in a reversal from his/her good fortune to bad.

Wikipedia

I'm not looking for a flaw that necessarily reverses someone's fortune, just a flaw that is worse than all of one's other flaws.

For example, John is disorganized, forgetful, and dishonest. If you think that dishonesty is John's worst flaw, you would say that dishonesty is John's __________.

Best Answer

Achilles' heel may fit your description:

  • a fault or weakness that causes or could cause someone or something to fail. (M-W)
  • Dishonesty is John's Achilles' heel!
Related Topic