weaker sex

the weaker sex

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see weaker,‎ sex.
2. (now offensive) Women; the female gender.
   • 2013, Peter McAra, A World Apart (page 14)

     For a man raised since birth to be strong, resolute, spare with words, and never to bow to the weepings and handwringings of the weaker sex, he had poured out his heart in that letter.

   • 2017 April 22, "Attorney in Tennessee Rape Trial Says Women are Good Liars Because ‘They’re the Weaker Sex’", KTLA5.

     "There's always a reason behind a lie. People can be very good at lying. Women can be especially good at it because they're the weaker sex and we, that's what the books say, and we want to protect them and not have anyone take advantage of them. At least I do," Farese said during closing statements Wednesday.

• fair sex
• weaker vessel