weakest link

British

noun

the person who is making the least contribution to the collective achievement of the group

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of weakest link

C20: from the British television quiz of the same name

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.

“Markets are looking for the weakest link out there.”

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Mr Mitchelson, formerly director of National Digital and chief information security officer for NHS National Services Scotland, said IT systems were only ever as secure as the weakest link in the chain.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

“In cybersecurity, the weakest link is often the human element.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

Williams wants to write songs for the band, but given that he is the youngest and weakest link, he is eventually asked to leave.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

If someone puts his own needs first—whether he is injured, sick, or simply refuses to cooperate—that person becomes the weakest link.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023