soft underbelly

soft underbelly

The weakest, most vulnerable part of an organization, nation, or other body. The most probably source of the expression is a reference to animals like porcupines, which are well protected on their backs but not on their bellies. It was first used figuratively during World War II, when Sir Winston Churchill described the Allied invasion of Italy as an attack on the soft underbelly of the Axis. It later was extended to various vulnerabilities, as in “She was . . . sticking her knife . . . into the soft underbelly of capitalism” (John Campbell Crosby, Snake, 1977).
See also: soft
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • that's wassup
  • wassup
  • come on
  • come upon
  • poker face
  • poker face, a
  • go to
  • go to (someone or something)
  • go to!
  • Suck my penis!
References in periodicals archive
She sets her debut in a Stateside theme park called Dreamworld, which draws upon Disney for its inspiration, and then sticks a knife in the soft underbelly of wholesome family fun.
Book Ends
Bray showed they are up for the battle but we're not and we're showing a bit of a soft underbelly.
HATS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT SAYS DUNDALK ACE
The two blips on their season - a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa and a 3-1 home loss to Chelsea - hint at an occasionally soft underbelly that Heskey and Zaki will try to exploit, so a draw looks the value bet.
Football: Draw looks the value eventuality; JAMES MILTON'S VERDICT
The story revolves around Renton, Spud, Sick Boy, Tommy and Begbie, a bunch of losers, liars, psychos, thieves, and junkies raking out a desperate life for themselves from the soft underbelly of big city life in Scotland.
Trainspotting for just pounds 2.50
While I am reluctant to judge too harshly after one game, I feel our soft underbelly once again threatens to undo our prospects of success.
The Journal Jury
Mr Davies urged the anti-single currency campaign Business for Sterling to fill the Commission's usual fringe slot and added, "Frankly, I'm delighted that she is not blowing taxpayers' money to find the soft underbelly of the party.
Europe remains emotive issue
Set in a word of devolution taken to extremes, Johnston's fourth outing works both as crime thriller and as a deliciously sly stab at the soft underbelly of political pomposity.
Book Ends
But with the Kangaroos opening against New Zealand tomorrow, Sheens (right) said: "I think New Zealand and Britain feel Petero is our soft underbelly, particularly with him not having played for a while.
Aussie Petero is no softie
But while the film rips through the soft underbelly of the eternal American Dream, how many cinemagoers will want to step into the slaughterhouse?
Dan's got the Midas touch; The Big Movie
Boss Alain Perrin has demanded more aggression from his team, but injuries rather than a soft underbelly are to blame.
Football: Faltering champions face a tricky Lorient encounter; EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
He made his first impact by removing threatening stroke-maker Habibul Bashar and exposed the soft underbelly of Bangladesh's line-up to link up impressively with left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.
CRICKET: Flintoff hero for England; Lancs all-rounder runs riot
But beneath that rough image is a soft underbelly with ballads such as We Have All The Time In The World.
Criminals on mission to make friends
MARK HUDSON fears Cardiff's season will go up in smoke unless they shed their soft underbelly.
CITY ARE 'SOFTIES' Cardiff v Derby
Mowbray showed true grit to weather the post-Wembley flak and quietly went about ridding his team of that "soft underbelly" and bringing in talented players who were also willing to do the ugly side of the game.
A new year full of fresh hope for the Midlands
Stuart Pearce's men are certainly capable of creating chances and scoring goals at this level - they showed that in a dynamic first 30 minutes against Italy - but they also possess a soft underbelly.
Football: Forward-thinking England may leave back door open; SPREADWISE