soft spot

noun

1. a weak or vulnerable position, place, condition, etc.:

   a soft spot in their fortifications; a soft spot in the economy.

2. emotional susceptibility:

   a soft spot for dogs and babies.

soft spot

noun

1. a sentimental fondness (esp in the phrase have a soft spot for )

Word History and Origins

Origin of soft spot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

"Harvey always helped others and always had a soft spot for anybody he ever felt was struggling, so I thought this would sum him up perfectly in terms of helping his memory live on."

From BBC

Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, a broker-agent in Arizona with a soft spot for first-time and lower-income buyers, is concerned that some folks will forego using an agent altogether to avoid the fee.

From Salon

“I want to give it a shot and Mexico has a soft spot in my heart. Who knows where it goes from there.”

From Los Angeles Times

She had a soft spot for stray cats, nurtured a garden and was known to break into dance at the sound of old school funk like the Commodores.

From Salon

But in later life, he appeared to develop a soft spot for authoritarianism.

From Salon