tower of strength

Idioms  

1. A dependable person on whom one can lean in time of trouble, as in After Dad died Grandma was a tower of strength for the whole family. This expression, first recorded in 1549, originally was used most often to refer to God and heaven, but Shakespeare had it differently in Richard III (5:3): “Besides, the King's name is a tower of strength.”

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Example Sentences

Stewart’s performance holds everything together; her Lou is a quiet tower of strength, unexpectedly finding both love and darkness.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2024

With the help of their tower of strength, the Hoosiers went from a 51-51 tie with 10:15 left to a 73-59 lead at the 3:51 mark.

From Washington Times • Mar. 31, 2021

He was still a tower of strength, averaging 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2019

But her three-year-old cat Herman became her tower of strength, said Ms Yates from Buxton, Derbyshire.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2019

A tower of strength, she is firm and does not yield, except in loving.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• bulwark
• citadel
• fortress
• mainstay
• stronghold