Kryptonite
noun
A fictional mineral in the Superman comic books, it is radioactive and it weakens Superman when he is near it.
Superman's powers are no use when he is in proximity of kryptonite.
Often appears as...
- green kryptonite
- exposure to kryptonite
noun
Is used to describe something that can cause great harm or damage to a particular person or thing, similar to how kryptonite can hurt Superman.
Maths exams are my kryptonite, they always bring my grades down.
Often appears as...
- his kryptonite
- our kryptonite
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
A fictional mineral in the Superman comic books, it is radioactive and it weakens Superman when he is near it.
Superman's powers are no use when he is in proximity of kryptonite.
Often appears as...
- green kryptonite
- exposure to kryptonite
noun
Is used to describe something that can cause great harm or damage to a particular person or thing, similar to how kryptonite can hurt Superman.
Maths exams are my kryptonite, they always bring my grades down.
Often appears as...
- his kryptonite
- our kryptonite
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Comic Origin
Understand that kryptonite comes from Superman stories; it's not a real substance.
They joked that his gym shirt was kryptonite to motivation.
Pro Tip 2/3Beyond Superman
Be aware, kryptonite references can be used outside comic discussions to imply vulnerability.
The quiz on 18th-century poets became the students' kryptonite.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Impact
Recognize that 'kryptonite' implies an unavoidable weakness, common in pop culture.
The chef's kryptonite was a well-made cheesecake.
Pro Tip 1/3Comic Origin
Understand that kryptonite comes from Superman stories; it's not a real substance.
They joked that his gym shirt was kryptonite to motivation.
Pro Tip 2/3Beyond Superman
Be aware, kryptonite references can be used outside comic discussions to imply vulnerability.
The quiz on 18th-century poets became the students' kryptonite.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Impact
Recognize that 'kryptonite' implies an unavoidable weakness, common in pop culture.
The chef's kryptonite was a well-made cheesecake.
Pro Tip 1/3Comic Origin
Understand that kryptonite comes from Superman stories; it's not a real substance.
They joked that his gym shirt was kryptonite to motivation.
Pro Tip 2/3Beyond Superman
Be aware, kryptonite references can be used outside comic discussions to imply vulnerability.
The quiz on 18th-century poets became the students' kryptonite.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Impact
Recognize that 'kryptonite' implies an unavoidable weakness, common in pop culture.
The chef's kryptonite was a well-made cheesecake.
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Video examples
What is your entrepreneur...
why it might work before allowing a single thought in your mind why it won't work this characterizes the luck dominant entrepreneur now why care why care if your heart driven smart driven guts driven or luck driven for reasons no your superpower strength versus your kryptonite second your decision-making
Video examples
The Secret to Mastering...
Just as life is non-linear, life transitions are non-linear too. Instead, each of us gravitates to the phase we're best at, our transition superpower, and gets bogged down in the phase we are weakest at, our transition kryptonite.
Video examples
A child of the state -...
background as if it may somehow weaken their standing in the foreground as if it was somehow kryptonite as if it were a a time bomb strapped on the inside children in care who've had a life in
Video examples
What is your entrepreneur...
why it might work before allowing a single thought in your mind why it won't work this characterizes the luck dominant entrepreneur now why care why care if your heart driven smart driven guts driven or luck driven for reasons no your superpower strength versus your kryptonite second your decision-making
Video examples
The Secret to Mastering...
Just as life is non-linear, life transitions are non-linear too. Instead, each of us gravitates to the phase we're best at, our transition superpower, and gets bogged down in the phase we are weakest at, our transition kryptonite.
Video examples
A child of the state -...
background as if it may somehow weaken their standing in the foreground as if it was somehow kryptonite as if it were a a time bomb strapped on the inside children in care who've had a life in
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
David S. Goyer
American Director
Superman has evolved continually in the comic books over the course of 75 years. He couldn't even fly for years in the original comic books. Kryptonite wasn't added until the '60s. All sorts of things like this. If a character is going to remain vital, he does have to change with the times.
Quote examples
Rupert Friend
English Actor
Han Solo is more interesting than Superman because he's flawed. Superman's flaw is kryptonite, and that's it. He can make time go backwards, for God's sake, but with Han Solo or Indiana Jones, there's a bit of humanity there.
Quote examples
Michael Seibel
American Businessman
If someone who's passed on your company as an investor offers you to make introductions, that's kryptonite. Don't touch that.
Quote examples
Michael Weatherly
American Actor
I have a secret stash of Nutella that I pull out when necessary. That chocolate-hazelnut combo is my wife's kryptonite.
Quote examples
Isabel Yosito
American Artist
Hold me in your arms, lava lamp! Let me seek magma comfort and peace in the warmth of your kryptonite embrace.
Quote examples
Clive Lewis
Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.
Quote examples
Dan Levy
American Comedian
Anxiety is my kryptonite.
Quote examples
David S. Goyer
American Director
Superman has evolved continually in the comic books over the course of 75 years. He couldn't even fly for years in the original comic books. Kryptonite wasn't added until the '60s. All sorts of things like this. If a character is going to remain vital, he does have to change with the times.
Quote examples
Rupert Friend
English Actor
Han Solo is more interesting than Superman because he's flawed. Superman's flaw is kryptonite, and that's it. He can make time go backwards, for God's sake, but with Han Solo or Indiana Jones, there's a bit of humanity there.
Quote examples
Michael Seibel
American Businessman
If someone who's passed on your company as an investor offers you to make introductions, that's kryptonite. Don't touch that.
Quote examples
Michael Weatherly
American Actor
I have a secret stash of Nutella that I pull out when necessary. That chocolate-hazelnut combo is my wife's kryptonite.
Quote examples
Isabel Yosito
American Artist
Hold me in your arms, lava lamp! Let me seek magma comfort and peace in the warmth of your kryptonite embrace.
Quote examples
Clive Lewis
Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.
Quote examples
Dan Levy
American Comedian
Anxiety is my kryptonite.
Example 1 of 7
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