What does "you're only as strong as your weakest link" mean?

Question

What does "you're only as strong as your weakest link" mean?

Answer 1

It's like saying your castle is only as strong as the quality of bricks you use. You might be mentally strong but can be overcome physically. You might be physically strong but can be overcome mentally. A link is something that holds things together, like a chain for instance. If 3 links in a chain were made of metal and 3 of playdo you wouldn't expect it to pull your car.

Answer 2

The best way to think of it (i believe), is to imagine pulling a metal chain from each end. Depending on how strong the links in the chain are, the force needed to break the chain could be large or small.

If every link can take a strong force before they break, then the chain is strong. BUT, if just one link breaks with a weak force, then the whole chain is weak (despite the strength of the other links).

So its a way of pointing out the weak points in something. You can only improve once those weak points have been made stronger.

Answer 3

Think of that quote in terms of a relay race.  You may have 3 good runners but the 4th is slow.  That 4th runner is your weakest link and may cause you to lose the race.

In terms of school, suppose you like to write.  You are good at introductions and conclusions.  You use proper spelling.  You make good points.  But, your grammar is awful and you make really bad mechanical mistakes like run-on sentences.  Your grammar is your weakest link and will always bring you down.  

In both situations, your goal is to improve your weakest link to make the situation (race, essay, whatever) stronger.