a pillar of strength
/ə ˈpɪlər ɒv strɛŋθ/
Meaning
This expression describes a person who is incredibly reliable, supportive, and emotionally strong, especially during a crisis or difficult period. It highlights someone who remains calm and provides a foundation of support for others who are struggling.
Examples
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Throughout my father's long illness, my mother was a pillar of strength for the entire family.
Throughout my father's long illness, my mother was a pillar of strength for the entire family.
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Every team needs a pillar of strength who stays calm and focused when things go wrong.
Every team needs a pillar of strength who stays calm and focused when things go wrong.
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She thanked her best friend for being her pillar of strength during the difficult divorce.
She thanked her best friend for being her pillar of strength during the difficult divorce.
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He has always been a pillar of strength, but even he needs someone to lean on sometimes.
He has always been a pillar of strength, but even he needs someone to lean on sometimes.
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As a community leader, she stood as a pillar of strength during the aftermath of the natural disaster.
As a community leader, she stood as a pillar of strength during the aftermath of the natural disaster.
Common Mistakes
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✗ My brother is a strong pillar of my life.
✓ My brother is a pillar of strength in my life.
The standard idiom is 'a pillar of strength'. Modifying it to 'strong pillar' loses the idiomatic impact and sounds unnatural.
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✗ She acted as a pillar of strong for her kids.
✓ She acted as a pillar of strength for her kids.
The idiom requires the noun 'strength', not the adjective 'strong'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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During the crisis, our manager proved to be ___ for the whole department.
💡 A highly supportive and reliable person.
Show answer
a pillar of strength
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I don't know how I would have survived last year without my sister; she was my ___ .
💡 Source of emotional support and stability.
Show answer
pillar of strength