pillar of strength
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- a person who can be relied on to give a great deal of support and comfort