The injury, Achilles' Heel is soreness of the tendon just above the rear of the heel. The modern phrase, Achilles' Heel, refers to any secret weakness that, if discovered, could bring great harm.
Achilles was the mightiest of the Greek warriors who fought in the Trojan War. When Achilles was a baby, Thetis, Achilles' mom, was told she could make her son immortal by dipping him in the River Styx. She held the baby Achilles by his heel when she dipped him in The River Styx. Wherever the water touched him, it made him invulnerable to all weapons. Achilles was killed by an arrow that pierced his heel, where Thetis's fingers prevented the River Styx from touching him.
On November 23 2009 Blogger Michael Tunison demonstrated a modern use of the term Achilles' Heel meaninga secret weakness. He posted that the Pittsburgh Steelers' Achilles' Heel used to be their offensive line, until their loss the day before to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tunison says now the Steelers' Achilles' Heel is special teams. http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/44747/steelers_achilles_heel_shifts_from_offensive_line_to_special_teams
On December 14 2009, 80,000 customers of the New Zealand cellular provider Telecom XT found out that Telecom XT's Achilles Heel is its sole reliance on 3G spectrum.http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/massive-outage-reveals-xt-s-achilles-heel-116425
HD - American Slang & Idioms - ACHILLES' HEEL
This video explains the pronunciation and origin of the idiom Achilles' Heel. Explains that the meaning is a vulnerability despite otherwise being strong. Tells about the origin being the legend of the great warrior Achilles, who died when a poisoned arrow pierced his heel. Helps with practicing the pronunciation of Achilles' Heel.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
The historical formal medical diagnosis for Achilles Heel is Achilles Tendinitis.
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Fact:
Sudden increases in your amount of exercise often are the cause of Achilles Heel injuries.
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Fact:
Doing exercise in shoes with hard heels or shoes without arch supports also often cause Achilles Heel injuries.
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Fact:
Achilles Tendinosis is a more serious Achilles Heel injury where the Achilles Tendon is torn in tiny places. Doctors are beginning to believe that this is the most common Achilles Heel injury.
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Fact:
If you have severe Achilles Heel pain you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
