weak-kneed
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of weak-kneed
First recorded in 1860–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Then there are my people, weak-kneed types who, come winter, wonder whether they can survive yet another cold snap.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
ByteDance stared it down, though, and bet that U.S. policymakers would get weak-kneed if the ban were actually about to go into effect.
From Slate ● Jan. 18, 2025
Ohtani has the most weak-kneed and worthless advisors in the history of advisors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2024
"I think I was weak-kneed and tongue tied, but I managed to squeak out 'Your Majesty, it's a great honour to meet you.' I will take those memories to my grave," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2022
In the corridor a few weak-kneed, pasty-faced students were making their way to and from the bathrooms, and a group of silent Helpers worked double-duty to keep the floors mopped.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
