at its weakest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its weakest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, argument, or entity when it is in a state of vulnerability or reduced strength. Example: "The team's performance was at its weakest during the final quarter of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

When the wave reaches a level that exceeds the strength of the glass, it will break it at its weakest point.

WikiHow

But it's at its weakest when it turns into just another episode of The X-Files".

Wikipedia

At its weakest, it has presented the insignificant.

The New York Times - Arts

At its weakest, it comes off as a stiff, muted exercise in countercultural nostalgia.

The New York Times

At its weakest, it slips into banality ("Very few festivals were celebrated in those years. There was so much work!"), but it can be quietly affecting.

Independent

Against the Canadian dollar, it is at its weakest for 11 years.

The Economist

India's growth is still outpacing the US and Europe, but it is at its weakest in a decade and is being overtaken by China and Indonesia.

BBC

Rita Kempley in the Washington Post wrote that the film "is at its weakest when it preaches visually or verbally.

Wikipedia

When your hair is wet, it is at its weakest.

WikiHow

After showering, try not to brush out all your tangles because when your hair is wet, it is at its weakest point.

WikiHow

Even after those losses were trimmed in later trading, at $1.36, it was still at its weakest for 31 years amid fears for Britain's economic outlook.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its weakest" to pinpoint moments or phases when something is most susceptible to failure, damage, or influence. This adds precision to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "at its weakest" excessively in passive voice sentences as it can make your writing sound indirect and less impactful. Instead, focus on active constructions to emphasize agency and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its weakest" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when an entity or situation experiences diminished strength or effectiveness. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe states of vulnerability in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its weakest" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote when something is most vulnerable or least effective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various writing styles. As showcased by Ludwig examples, it's common in News & Media and Wiki articles. When using this phrase, focus on precision and context. Be aware of overuse in passive constructions, and consider related alternatives for increased nuance and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a weakened condition

Uses a participial adjective to describe the state of diminished strength

at its most vulnerable

Focuses specifically on vulnerability as the primary characteristic.

when most susceptible

Focuses on the heightened likelihood of being affected negatively by external factors.

in its frailest state

Emphasizes fragility and delicateness as indicators of weakness.

at its most exposed

Highlights the lack of protection or defense.

at its lowest ebb

Uses a metaphorical term to describe a period of decline or reduction.

at its nadir

Replaces common terms with a more formal, technical synonym for "lowest point".

during its decline

Shifts the focus to the process of weakening, rather than the state itself.

when least resilient

Emphasizes the lack of ability to recover or withstand stress.

in a compromised condition

Suggests damage or impairment affecting functionality.

FAQs

How can I use "at its weakest" in a sentence?

You can use "at its weakest" to describe when something is most vulnerable or least effective. For instance, "The team was "at its weakest" when its star player was injured".

What are some alternatives to "at its weakest"?

Some alternatives include "in its most vulnerable state", "at its lowest point", or "when least resilient", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "at it's weakest"?

No, the correct phrasing is "at its weakest". "Its" is a possessive pronoun, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has".

What's the difference between "at its weakest" and "at its worst"?

"At its weakest" refers specifically to a lack of strength or capability, while "at its worst" describes a state of maximal undesirable qualities or performance. The two are not interchangeable.