go weak at the knees

go weak at the knees

To become unsteady or flustered due to a strong emotional reaction to someone or something. Hearing the news of my father's sudden death, I went weak at the knees and could barely remain standing. Just thinking about Samantha makes me go weak at the knees.
See also: go, knee, weak
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be/go ˌweak at the ˈknees

(informal) be/become weak because of illness, strong emotion, etc: He felt dizzy and a bit weak at the knees. Her smile made me go weak at the knees (= with nervousness, love, etc.). ▶ ˌweak-ˈkneed adj. not brave or determined
See also: go, knee, weak
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be/go weak at the knees
  • go weak in the knees
  • weak in the knees
  • hit (one) for six
  • hit someone for six
  • hit/knock somebody/something for six
  • lurch toward (someone or something)
  • hard to take
  • knock (one) for six
  • knock someone for six
References in periodicals archive
His bulging biceps make Sheila and Dipi go weak at the knees, and when Sheila notices her neighbour eyeing him up, tries to make him an exclusive offer he can't refuse.
Harnesses are not provided and for those who have a healthy fear of heights, expect to go weak at the knees while going up or down the cargo net courses, which are several feet high.
Yes, human babies are nice, but there's nothing like a baby animal to make us go weak at the knees. The fluff, those comesnuggle-me eyes - pity some of them could take you out with one pad of those big paws (bear, lion, tiger cubs, we're looking at you).
GOOD morning, and welcome to the only newspaper column in the world, apart from 'Urban fishing in PyongYang' by Poach Hake Yum, that does not go weak at the knees at the mention of the 'L' word.
IT was one of those moments to make anyone go weak at the knees - but the Duchess of Cambridge took meeting pop prince Harry Styles in her stride.
Olivia Pope is back for real in "Scandal" Season 4 to do what she does best, handle the crazy, fix the twisted, and to make the President go weak at the knees. In episode 2 of "Scandal" Season 4, which is titled "The State of the Union," Olivia is likely to be there at the White House after reports appear saying "First Madam Crazy," featuring Mellie outside the White House, not at all looking like the mourning mother, the preview clip of the new episode indicates.
My wife certainly wouldn't go weak at the knees if I came home in a sodden shirt"- Actor Colin Firth on his famous scene in Pride And Prejudice.
I go weak at the knees at the sight of a chocolate-box, rose-covered cottage bedecked in oral wallpaper.
I go weak at the knees at the sight of a chocolate-box, rose-covered cottage I go weak at the knees at the sight of a chocolate-box, rose-covered cottage bedecked in floral wallpaper.
MIXING with Hollywood's finest at the premiere of the new Hobbit movie is enough to make any boy go weak at the knees - and Scot John Bell is no exception.
Miranda (BBC One, tomorrow, 9pm) | CARDIFF-BORN actor Tom Ellis has always had the power to make grown women go weak at the knees. With his wavy hair and winning smile, he oozes charm, but not in a suave or knowing way; Tom is the hunk next door, the kind of chap you could happily take home to meet your mum.
HUNK: Debbie can'to go weak at the knees over Robert Pattinson was such a success that Debbie is planning a second sequel - and a stage musical.
"The Festival gets bigger each year and the massive sums of money that swill around on-course and online and in shops up and down the land really make us go weak at the knees.
Our politicians do seem to have a tendency to go weak at the knees at the crucial point of action.
You cannot dangle a spandex suit and mascara in front of me and not expect me to go weak at the knees," Firth added.