soft spot

American  

noun

1. a weak or vulnerable position, place, condition, etc..

   a soft spot in their fortifications; a soft spot in the economy.

2. emotional susceptibility.

   a soft spot for dogs and babies.

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soft spot British  

noun

1. a sentimental fondness (esp in the phrase have a soft spot for )

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soft spot Idioms  

1. A weak or vulnerable point, as in That's the soft spot in his argument . [Mid-1900s]

2. have a soft spot for . Have a tender or sentimental feeling for, as in Grandpa had a soft spot for Brian, his first grandson . This expression, first recorded in 1753 as “a soft place in one's heart,” uses soft in the sense of “tender.”

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Etymology

Origin of soft spot

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Returning to George, who has his own spacious enclosure, Mrs Mansfield - though always cautious around him - clearly has a soft spot for the reptile.

From BBC

Miami is speedy and can exploit New York’s defensive soft spots.

From Los Angeles Times

A chair cleared of laundry, a table with a little breathing room, a soft spot on the couch — that’s enough.

From Salon

The beef segment remains our only soft spot.

From Los Angeles Times

He got right to work, watching the East German guards, learning their schedules and routines, looking for soft spots.

From Literature