Definition

Noun: - A person who can be relied on to give a great deal of support and comfort: This phrase describes someone who provides unwavering emotional or practical support, serving as a dependable foundation for others during difficult times.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe a person who acts as a main source of stability and encouragement. It is a metaphor comparing a person's supportive role to a strong architectural pillar that holds up a structure.

Examples

• Noun:
  • After her father passed away, her older brother became her pillar of strength.
  • Throughout the crisis, the community leader was a pillar of strength for all the residents.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a pillar of strength": This is the most common construction, used to state that someone fulfills this supportive role.
  • She has been a true pillar of strength for her family during this illness.

Variants and Related Words

• Tower of strength: A very similar idiom with the same meaning.
  • He was a tower of strength when I was going through my divorce.
• Rock: (Informal) A person who is very strong, dependable, and supportive.
  • My wife is my rock.

Synonyms

• Mainstay: A person or thing on which something else is based or depends.
• Anchor: A person or thing that provides stability or confidence.
• Backbone: The most important support of a system or organization; a person with strong resolve.

Related Idioms

• To lend (someone) a shoulder to cry on: To provide sympathy and emotional support.
• To be there for (someone): To be available to support or help someone.

Noun

1. a person who can be relied on to give a great deal of support and comfort