weak-kneed

English

Alternative forms

weak in the knees

Adjective

weak-kneed (comparative more weak-kneed, superlative most weak-kneed)

(figuratively) Lacking will power or strength of character; timid.
- 1903, Jack London, chapter 5, in The People of the Abyss:
  It is incontrovertible that the children grow up into rotten adults, without virility or stamina, a weak-kneed, narrow-chested, listless breed, that crumples up and goes down in the brute struggle for life.
(literally) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see weak,‎ kneed.

Translations

figuratively: having weak knees

Bulgarian: малодушен (bg) (malodušen)
Galician: pusilánime (gl) m or f, apoucado m, apoucada f, coitado (gl) m, coitada f, miñaxoia (gl) m or f

literally: having weak knees

Bikol Central: lupog (bcl)
Maori: turingongengonge, turipū

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