What is the meaning and origin of the expression ‘Achilles’ heel’? (Hitesh, Delhi) Achilles, the hero in Homer’s epic poem Iliad , was a famous Greek warrior who died in the beautiful city of Troy while fighting against the Trojans. Legend has it that no sooner was Achilles born, his mother, Thetis, dipped the new-born baby in the waters of the river Styx (pronounced ‘sticks’). The Greeks believed that no harm would come to any infant who had been completely immersed in the waters of this river — being a goddess herself, Thetis wanted to ensure that her son would remain immortal.
Unfortunately for Achilles, when his mother dipped him in the river, she held on to his heels; as a result, this portion of his foot never became wet. It became the great warrior’s weak spot. If anyone wanted to kill him, all they had to do was to injure one of his heels; it was the chink in his otherwise impregnable armour.
In fact, this is how during the battle for Troy, Paris kills Achilles — he pierces the great warrior’s heel with an arrow. The expression ‘Achilles’ heel’ is mostly used nowadays to refer to an individual’s weakness; one that the enemies are aware of and take undue advantage of. It usually leads to one’s downfall.
Some dictionaries list the expression as ‘Achilles heel’, without the apostrophe. When I was in school, maths was my Achilles’ heel. I could never score in the subject.
Hema lost the match because of her terrible temper. It is her Ach.