weak in the knees
weak in the knees
also, weak at the knees
Meaning
- to be overcome by a strong feeling, usually desire
- to be caught off guard by something that upsets you
- affected by a strong emotion while being unable to do something about it
- to be very nervous
Example Sentences
- The man makes me weak in the knees when he kisses me.
- That cake is so good that it makes me weak at the knees, I might eat it all in one sitting.
- I went weak in the knees when Peter took me through the haunted house, I can’t believe how realistic those zombies were!
- Hearing that my dog had been run over, I went weak in the knees and my friend had to grab my arm to keep me from collapsing.
- When they called me to go on stage I went weak in the knees.
- The boy said that he could not help but ask me out, as the sight of me in my lovely dress had made him go weak in the knees.
Origin
It is unclear when the phrase originated, but it is meant to convey that the blood has left someone’s system and they have been left weak. This can be because of shock or because they are overcome with desire.
Share your opinions1 Opinion
A term possibly of maritime origin. A deteriorating wooden sailing vessel may literally have “weak knees”, which are the structural members that join the hull frames to the deck work.
“Weak in the knees” actually makes sense in this context whereas human knees offer little in the way of sensation and a person who is feeling faint is far more likely to attribute it dizziness in their head than to failing knees. Other than a person with arthritis or a meniscus tear, who takes much awareness of their knees?
‒ Craig Fritz March 9, 2021