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Weaker Vessel

What Does "Weaker Vessel" Mean?

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"Weaker vessel" is an English idiom. It is a term often used to describe someone perceived as delicate or less robust, historically used to describe women, but can be seen as outdated or sexist today.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "weaker vessel" used in a sentence:
  • In older texts, women were often referred to as the 'weaker vessel'.
  • We should move away from terms like 'weaker vessel' when discussing gender.
  • Labeling someone as the 'weaker vessel' can be demeaning and dismissive.
meaning for weaker vessel

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Weaker Vessel" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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