feet of clay

/fˈiːt ɒv klˈeɪ/

/fˈiːt ʌv klˈeɪ/

[phrase]

feet of clay

[PHRASE]

a serious flaw or weakness in one's character that other people are not aware of

What is the origin of the idiom "feet of clay" and when to use it?

The idiom "feet of clay" originated from the biblical book of Daniel in the Old Testament, where a statue with a head of gold and feet made of a mixture of iron and clay symbolizes a powerful yet flawed kingdom. This idiom suggests that the person or thing in question has a vulnerable or fragile aspect that is not immediately apparent. It can be employed when discussing individuals, institutions, or even objects that initially seem flawless but later reveal their imperfections or shortcomings.

Examples

1. The celebrity's glamorous image crumbled when it was revealed that they had feet of clay, struggling with addiction behind the scenes.

2. The charismatic leader, once hailed as invincible, was eventually exposed to have feet of clay when evidence of corruption came to light.

3. The company's reputation suffered a blow when its seemingly perfect product showed its feet of clay, malfunctioning after just a few months of use.

4. So you have this statue with these metals and iron and clay feet.

Nearby words