Have a soft spot for someone means to have special affection, fondness, liking, or emotional vulnerability for that person, making you treat them more kindly, generously, patiently, and forgivingly than you would others. It implies that person holds a special place in your heart, you care about their wellbeing, find it hard to say no, and are more easily moved by them. For example, a grandfather has a soft spot for his granddaughter and spoils her, a teacher has a soft spot for a struggling student and gives extra help, a man has a soft spot for a woman he admires and goes out of his way to help her. It can be romantic, platonic, or familial. The phrase comes from literal soft spot meaning tender, sensitive area that is easily hurt, and figuratively means emotionally tender. Having a soft spot for someone suggests warmth, compassion, nostalgia, or love, and implies you are vulnerable to their influence. It is generally positive, showing you care deeply, but can also mean you are biased. For instance, I have a soft spot for my little brother means I adore him and protect him despite his flaws, showing affection and protective instinct.
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