weak sister
The phrase "weak sister" is chiefly used in the US and often carries a derogatory connotation, referring to the least dependable member of a group.
Definition
C1General
(informal, derogatory)A member of a group who is the least dependable or effective.
Example
- In the team, John was considered the weak sister because he often missed deadlines.
- The weak sister of the project was the outdated software that caused multiple delays.
C1Personal Traits
(informal, derogatory)A person who is cowardly or indecisive.
Example
- She was labeled the weak sister of the group due to her inability to make firm decisions.
- His friends saw him as a weak sister because he always backed out of challenging situations.
C1Business and Economics
(technical)An element in a system that is underperforming and may compromise the integrity of the whole.
Example
- The company's weak sister was its underperforming division in Europe.
- In the investment portfolio, the weak sister was the stock that consistently lost value.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "weak sister":