A fatal flaw
Meaning
An inherent characteristic, weakness, or error in judgment that inevitably leads to a person's or entity's downfall.
Origin
The concept of a 'fatal flaw' is deeply rooted in ancient Greek drama, where it was known as hamartia. This wasn't necessarily a moral failing, but often an error in judgment, a character's defining trait pushed to an extreme, or a tragic mistake stemming from ignorance or hubris—excessive pride or self-confidence. Aristotle, in his Poetics, explored how such a flaw in a protagonist, even a noble one, could lead to their inevitable downfall, eliciting pity and fear from the audience. This powerful dramatic device, where a hero's own nature seals their grim fate, has resonated through literature for millennia, becoming a fundamental understanding of human vulnerability and consequence.
Examples
- His stubborn refusal to delegate, while often seen as a strength, proved to be his fatal flaw as the company rapidly expanded.
- The architect's aesthetic genius was undeniable, but his tendency to cut corners on structural integrity became the fatal flaw in his grandest designs.