as strong as the weakest link

English translation: If the weakest link fails, the whole chain is useless

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:as strong as the weakest link
Selected answer:If the weakest link fails, the whole chain is useless
Entered by: elsayed fayed

11:12 Nov 29, 2009
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Music
English term or phrase: as strong as the weakest link
your signal chain is only as strong as the weakest link - cables are an integral part of this link!
elsayed fayed
Egypt
Local time: 18:15
If the weakest link fails, the whole chain is useless
Explanation:
The signals are carried by various means, but partly via cable. If the cables cause problems, it doesn't matter how good the rest of the system is, it will still be unusable until something is done about the cables.
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:15
Grading comment
thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +14If the weakest link fails, the whole chain is useless
Jack Doughty
Summary of reference entries provided
the physics explanation and a useful link
British Diana

  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +14
If the weakest link fails, the whole chain is useless


Explanation:
The signals are carried by various means, but partly via cable. If the cables cause problems, it doesn't matter how good the rest of the system is, it will still be unusable until something is done about the cables.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:15
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 40
Grading comment
thank you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sheila Wilson
11 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  Derek Gill Franßen
17 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  MPGS: :)
1 hr
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agree  Sarah Bessioud
1 hr
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agree  Patricia Townshend (X)
1 hr
  -> Thank you.

agree  Jenni Lukac (X)
3 hrs
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agree  Demi Ebrite
4 hrs
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agree  Polangmar
5 hrs
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agree  Rolf Keiser
6 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Travelin Ann
7 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Liam Hamilton
8 hrs
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agree  Yasutomo Kanazawa
17 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Bernhard Sulzer
1 day 15 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Ildiko Santana
1 day 19 hrs
  -> Thank you.
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Reference comments


32 mins peer agreement (net): +6
Reference: the physics explanation and a useful link

Reference information:
"It's a simple matter of engineering/physics : the stress that a chain is under (when in use) is equally distributed link by link from top to bottom. the entire weight rests upon each link
and so if one link is made of inferior or flawed metal, then when the strain is placed upon the chain, that link will fail and so as the chain is serial, the chain will fail"

In some circumstances, a weakness of part can be compensated for by other elements - in a chain, as each element is subject to the same forces, then the part least able to cope with that force determines the breaking point. you could compare it with fibres in a rope, where weakness of one part would not cause critical failure".

It is an adage about serial (not parallel) processes, where there is no duplication of roles."

Quote taken from the following link:


    Reference: http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/21/messages/100.htm...
British Diana
Germany
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  Derek Gill Franßen: Cool! :)
1 min
  -> Thanks, Derek !
agree  MPGS: most appropriate :)
50 mins
  -> Thanks, MPGS !
agree  Patricia Townshend (X)
59 mins
  -> Thanks, Patricia !
agree  Polangmar
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Polangmar !
agree  Bernhard Sulzer
1 day 15 hrs
  -> Thanks, Bernhard !
agree  Ildiko Santana
1 day 19 hrs
  -> Thanks, ildiko !
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