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

Daniel Christopher Birks, who trained Mr Henderson in 2010 and led the troop he was assigned to in Afghanistan, said: "He was such a tower of strength, kind of like the model recruit."

From BBC • May 22, 2024

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

“I think he’s been really a tower of strength for all of us,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2020

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