without his heel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without his heel" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing injury, vulnerability, or a specific situation where someone's heel is relevant. Example: "He was unable to run properly without his heel being fully healed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Achilles without his heel has no interest".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Without anger, he stamps his heel on the phone he found on the bench a few moments ago and threw on the ground, which won't stop ringing.

The Guardian - Books

According to Robert Darnton, a Princeton historian, Berlin's friends would "watch him as if he were a trapeze artist, soaring through every imaginable subject, spinning, flipping, hanging by his heels and without a touch of showmanship".

The Economist

As for Arnold, he could now campaign as a loving devoted husband, without this merciless biting at his heels.

Huffington Post

Frustratingly, however -- frustratingly for us, that is -- he kicks his heels and rides away without pausing to explain".

The New York Times - Books

The altered image showed Mr. Hoffman in an evening gown and heels without his permission.

The New York Times

Satellite imagery, he argues, reveals this new Kim was at least 2.5 cm taller than the Supreme Leader (all without his son's famous Cuban heels).

Vice

Ivan Rodriguez had been on the disabled list since May 2 with a bone bruise on his left heel, and without their All-Star catcher, the Rangers' offense was inconsistent.

The New York Times - Sports

Lady Gaga was wearing a semitransparent animal print body suit with shoes 61 centimeters, or 24 inches, high, except the footwear was elevated without a heel.

The New York Times

Without the heel cushioning provided by standard running shoes, barefoot proponents say, runners will gravitate naturally toward landing lightly near the balls of the feet.

The New York Times

The principal findings were a reduced BMD at the trochanter and total hip and increased BMD at the femoral neck, but without affecting heel BMD or body composition in the OAH-affected limbs.

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "without his heel", ensure the context clearly establishes the heel as a significant or defining aspect of the subject. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing vulnerability or a critical weakness.

Common error

Avoid using "without his heel" in overly metaphorical or abstract situations where the heel's significance is not immediately apparent. This can lead to confusion and weaken the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without his heel" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a condition where a crucial element is absent. It often implies vulnerability or a critical weakness, drawing from the Achilles' heel metaphor as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without his heel" is grammatically sound but infrequently used, primarily appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its meaning often alludes to the Achilles' heel metaphor, signifying a critical vulnerability or weakness. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the heel as a defining aspect of the subject to effectively convey the intended sense of incompleteness or susceptibility. Alternatives such as "lacking his strength" or "vulnerable" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The scarcity of examples suggests a cautious approach to its usage, favoring clarity and directness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking his strength

Focuses on the absence of power or force.

without his support

Highlights the lack of assistance or backing.

minus his vital component

Emphasizes the absence of a crucial part.

absent his crucial element

Highlights the absence of a critical element.

without his key asset

Focuses on the missing advantageous attribute.

deficient in his fortitude

Highlights a lack of courage or resilience.

bereft of his resilience

Focuses on the absence of the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

missing his defining trait

Highlights the absence of a characteristic that identifies someone.

lacking his essential quality

Emphasizes the missing fundamental aspect.

without his inherent advantage

Highlights the absence of a natural benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "without his heel" in a sentence?

You can use "without his heel" to describe a state of vulnerability or weakness when a physical or metaphorical "heel" is absent. For example, "Achilles "without his heel" has no interest" shows a critical vulnerability.

What does "without his heel" mean?

The phrase "without his heel" typically refers to a vulnerability or weakness, alluding to the story of Achilles, whose heel was his only weak point. It implies that something essential is missing, making the subject incomplete or susceptible to harm.

Are there alternative ways to express the idea of "without his heel"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "lacking his strength", "vulnerable", or "incomplete" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is it grammatically correct to say "without his heel"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, it is relatively uncommon and often carries a metaphorical weight, referencing the Achilles' heel concept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.