weakest possible time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weakest possible time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment or period that is considered to be the least favorable or most vulnerable. Example: "We need to avoid making decisions during the weakest possible time for our team, as it could lead to poor outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They caught us at the weakest possible time," said Gikas Hardouvelis, a senior economic adviser to Prime Minister Lucas Papademos who was involved in the decision making process.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Donald Trump has spent most of this week claiming to be uncertain about whether Russian hackers targeted Democrats in 2016, reversing himself in the weakest possible fashion, and ranting on Twitter about how he had actually denounced the Russians loads of times.

Vice

The I.S.I., he said, "wanted to see the weakest possible Afghanistan".

The New York Times - Arts

"It is probably one of the weakest oversight positions at one of the worst possible times".

The New York Times

Fall over at the worst possible times.

WikiHow

It has been built to handle possible weak time variations of these angles.

Earth, Planets and Space

Although the specific tumour fluorescence signals became weaker over the time, it was easily possible to detect tumours up to 72 h after i.v. probe injection (Figure�� 4b).

EJNMMI Research

Doctors caution patients to use the weakest pair possible.

The New York Times

All are facing possible jail time.

The New York Times

And yet these are the weakest of possible connections somewhere between allusions and coincidences.

The New Yorker

Worse, it was just about the weakest response possible.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weakest possible time", ensure the context clearly establishes what factors contribute to the 'weakness'. Be specific about why the time is unfavorable.

Common error

Avoid using "weakest possible time" without specifying the nature of the weakness. Clearly articulate what makes that particular time disadvantageous or vulnerable. Without context, the phrase lacks impact and can be ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weakest possible time" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific period characterized by maximum vulnerability or disadvantage, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weakest possible time" denotes a moment of maximum vulnerability or disadvantage. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usage across varied contexts, primarily News & Media. While the phrase isn't extremely common, with few examples available, it serves to emphasize susceptibility in a particular period. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what constitutes the 'weakness' to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "most vulnerable moment" or "least opportune moment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most vulnerable moment

Focuses on the vulnerability aspect, emphasizing a specific point in time.

least opportune moment

Highlights the lack of favorability, shifting the focus to opportunity.

most inopportune time

Similar to 'least opportune', but with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

most disadvantageous moment

Emphasizes the lack of advantage, highlighting a period of weakness.

time of greatest vulnerability

Rephrases the concept using a more descriptive and less concise structure.

most precarious timing

Emphasizes the instability and risk associated with the timing.

point of maximum weakness

Focuses on the peak of the vulnerability, shifting to a 'point' rather than a 'time'.

period of greatest fragility

Highlights the fragility or susceptibility to damage during that time.

most critical juncture

Highlights the decisiveness of the moment, implying potential negative consequences.

most exposed period

Emphasizes the lack of protection or defense during that time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "weakest possible time" in a sentence?

Use "weakest possible time" to describe a moment or period that is the least favorable or most vulnerable. For example: "The company chose the "weakest possible time" to launch their new product, resulting in poor sales."

What are some alternatives to "weakest possible time"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "most vulnerable moment", "least opportune moment", or "most disadvantageous moment".

Is it better to say "weakest possible time" or "worst possible time"?

The choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey. "Weakest possible time" emphasizes vulnerability or lack of strength, while "worst possible time" emphasizes the most unfavorable or detrimental moment.

What factors define a "weakest possible time" in a business context?

In business, the "weakest possible time" might be defined by low cash flow, high debt, market volatility, or internal instability. It's a period when the business is most susceptible to negative impacts.