have a soft spot for

Meaning

This expression means to have a strong liking or affection for someone or something, often despite their faults. It is commonly used when you feel sentimental or unusually protective toward a person, pet, or even an object. It carries a warm, affectionate tone.

Examples

• Even though he's strict, I've always had a soft spot for my high school history teacher.

  Even though he's strict, I've always had a soft spot for my high school history teacher.

• She has a soft spot for stray cats and is always bringing them home.

  She has a soft spot for stray cats and is always bringing them home.

• I know this car is old and unreliable, but I just have a soft spot for it.

  I know this car is old and unreliable, but I just have a soft spot for it.

• He always lets his daughter stay up late because he has a soft spot for her.

  He always lets his daughter stay up late because he has a soft spot for her.

• My uncle is usually grumpy, but he has a soft spot for his nieces and nephews.

  My uncle is usually grumpy, but he has a soft spot for his nieces and nephews.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a weak spot for chocolate.

  ✓ I have a soft spot for chocolate.

  While 'weak spot' refers to a vulnerability, 'soft spot' is the correct idiomatic phrase used to show affection or sentimental liking.

• ✗ She has a soft spot to him.

  ✓ She has a soft spot for him.

  The preposition 'for' must always follow this expression, not 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I know he makes a lot of mistakes, but I just ___ him.

  💡 Use the main expression in its base form.

  Show answer

  have a soft spot for

• My grandpa always ___ my cousin and buys him whatever he wants.

  💡 Remember to conjugate the verb for the third person singular.

  Show answer

  has a soft spot for