English

Noun

weak sister ‎(plural weak sisters)

1. (chiefly US, idiomatic, derogatory) A person who is cowardly or indecisive.
   • 1964, "Political Thriller" (film review of Seven Days in May), Time, Feb. 21:

     "Your course of action this past year has bordered on criminal negligence," he barks to the man whose job he means to take. "You're a weak sister, Mr. President."

2. (chiefly US, idiomatic) A person or thing which is the least robust or least dependable member of a group.
   • 1991, Larry Reibstein, "A Mexican Miracle?," Newsweek, 20 May:

     San Antonio has always been viewed as the weak sister of the big regional centers of Houston and Dallas.

Synonyms

• (least robust of a group): sick man

See also

• weakest link

References

• weak sister at OneLook Dictionary Search