a deadly flaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deadly flaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant weakness or defect in a character, plan, or system that can lead to failure or disaster. Example: "In the story, the hero's arrogance is portrayed as a deadly flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Underneath their facades, many recently spruced up in an attempt to beautify the city, was a deadly flaw: outdated, decrepit foundations and walls that were slowly cracking beneath the surface.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Did anyone along the way point out the deadly flaw in her thinking?

The New York Times

To be blunt, the answer is simple: It is a poorly written and acted show, and for a TV drama dependent on characters and mood rather than action and gunplay, that is a deadly double-flaw.

The New York Times

What does an awakening voter who sees deadly flaws in both candidates do?

Huffington Post

Re "9/11 Exposed Deadly Flaws in Rescue Plan" (front page, July 7) and "Refighting the Fires of Sept. 11" (editorial, July 12): The Fire Department suffered a catastrophic loss of radio communications on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

The sinking of the Titanic, the meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor in 1986, the collapse of the World Trade Center — all forced engineers to address what came to be seen as deadly flaws.

The New York Times - Science

In his best-selling book, Drive, author Daniel Pink describes the "seven deadly flaws" associated with the concept of carrots and sticks: they extinguish intrinsic motivation, they diminish performance, they crush creativity, they can crowd out good behavior, they can encourage cheating, shortcuts and unethical behavior, they can become addictive and they can foster short term thinking.

The Guardian - Opinion

A derivative of a deadly sin or similar flaw is a good place to start.

WikiHow

In the particular case, a family involved in a deadly automobile accident claimed that a tire design flaw caused the tragedy.

Forbes

Bruck's article points out some flaws and problems, but there is a deadly battle going on.

The New Yorker

Federal officials admit that the medical scope believed to be linked to a deadly bacteria outbreak at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center may be flawed in a way that prevents it from being properly cleaned.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a deadly flaw", ensure the context clearly illustrates the severity and potential consequences of the flaw. Provide specific details about how the flaw can lead to negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "a deadly flaw" for minor imperfections or insignificant issues. This phrase should be reserved for flaws with genuinely serious or life-threatening implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deadly flaw" functions as a noun phrase where "deadly" modifies the noun "flaw", indicating a severe or lethal defect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a deadly flaw" is a noun phrase signifying a critical and potentially catastrophic weakness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correct usage involves highlighting significant vulnerabilities across diverse contexts, mainly within News & Media. While adaptable to various registers, its formal tone and grave implications position it better within analytical or informative content, avoiding light-hearted communication. Considering alternatives such as "a fatal flaw" or "a critical defect" can provide nuanced precision depending on the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fatal flaw

Replaces 'deadly' with 'fatal', emphasizing the inevitability of negative consequences.

a critical defect

Substitutes 'flaw' with 'defect', highlighting the imperfection or shortcoming.

a major weakness

Replaces 'deadly flaw' with 'major weakness', indicating a significant vulnerability.

a serious shortcoming

Uses 'shortcoming' instead of 'flaw', emphasizing the inadequacy or deficiency.

a grave imperfection

Employs 'grave imperfection', adding a sense of seriousness to the flaw.

a lethal vulnerability

Replaces 'deadly flaw' with 'lethal vulnerability', focusing on the susceptibility to harm.

a perilous fault

Substitutes 'deadly' with 'perilous' and 'flaw' with 'fault', indicating danger.

a destructive weakness

Uses 'destructive weakness' to emphasize the damaging nature of the flaw.

a ruinous failing

Replaces 'flaw' with 'failing', highlighting the aspect of failure or inadequacy.

a catastrophic error

Substitutes 'deadly flaw' with 'catastrophic error', indicating the potential for disaster.

FAQs

How can I use "a deadly flaw" in a sentence?

You can use "a deadly flaw" to describe a significant weakness in a system, character, or plan that could lead to disastrous results. For instance, "The project's "a deadly flaw" was its reliance on outdated technology".

What is a synonym for "a deadly flaw"?

A synonym for "a deadly flaw" could be "a fatal flaw", which also indicates a critical weakness with potentially disastrous consequences.

Is it appropriate to use "a deadly flaw" in formal writing?

Yes, "a deadly flaw" is appropriate in formal writing when describing a serious weakness or defect with severe potential outcomes. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

What's the difference between "a deadly flaw" and "a minor imperfection"?

"A deadly flaw" refers to a critical weakness that can cause significant harm or failure, while "a minor imperfection" indicates a small, insignificant issue that has little to no impact on the overall outcome.