flaw

Everyday

1. A flaw is a small mark, crack or fault that spoils something. tree →
2. A flaw is a weakness or mistake in a plan, an argument or a person's character. tree →

In the lessons

In stories heroes often have a flaw, like pride or a temper, that causes trouble; in maths and science, a flaw in a method or test makes the result untrustworthy. Phrases: «a flaw in the plan», «a fatal flaw», «a tiny flaw».

Examples

• There's a small flaw in the glass. tree →
• Can you find the flaw in this argument? tree →
• His only flaw is that he is always late. tree →
• The plan had one big flaw: nobody had the key. tree →
• The jeweller looked for flaws in the diamond. tree →
• The flaw in the experiment was that we did not keep it fair. tree →
• Everyone has flaws, and that's all right. tree →

Note

Countable. Adjectives: «flawed» (has flaws), «flawless» (has none). Homophone trap: «flaw» sounds like «floor» in British English, but means a fault.