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backbone

backbone

56 3.7
The strength or courage to do what is difficult
  • noun
  • /ˈbækˌboʊn/
translation icon : pilar
  • These hard-working immigrants are the backbone of this country!
  • form the backbone
  • constitute the backbone
  • become the backbone

It's not like they don't have the backbone to stream video.

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Examples

  • The dedication of volunteers provides the backbone for our community services.

  • Show a little backbone, will ya?

  • Without you, I would have no backbone through this time.

  • You are the backbone of our nation!

  • Law and order will form the backbone of our resolve.

  • Successful men talk of their wives as being the backbone of their success.

    Academic text (1993)
  • It's people like you, the ranchers... who are the backbone of this country.

  • And on behalf of the administration, I want to welcome you, and let you know that we consider our nursing staff to be the backbone of this hospital.

  • The hardworking farmers are the backbone of our agricultural industry.

  • In times of crisis, a strong leader shows the backbone needed to guide others.

Synonyms

sand
vsbackbone
  • Archaic
72 9.9

Courage and determination in difficult situations

focuses more on being the central strength or support for something
anchor
vsbackbone
43 4.0

A person or thing that gives support and makes someone feel confident

also refers to inner courage or the main structural strength of something
grit
vsbackbone
34 5.3

Courage to keep going when things are hard

also covers being the main support or structural strength of something
heart and soul
vsbackbone
28 3.4

The most important part that holds a group or thing together

stresses both core importance and personal bravery or toughness
mainstay
vsbackbone
18 4.9

The main support that people or things depend on

adds the idea of personal courage as well as structural support
moxie
vsbackbone
  • Informal
18 8.8

Brave, confident attitude that helps someone face difficulty

can also refer to the main supportive strength of an object or group
gumption
vsbackbone
15 8.1

Being brave and using common sense to act and solve problems

is more about raw courage or being the primary support element
linchpin
vsbackbone
13 6.7

A key person or part that keeps a team working

also denotes personal strength of character beyond just system function
marrow
vsbackbone
  • Literature
12 7.7

The most important part of something

also conveys upright character strength and courageous resolve
keystone
vsbackbone
6 5.1

The most important part that holds other parts together in a system

can also describe a person's inner courage and resilience
lynchpin
vsbackbone
4 7.0

The person or thing that keeps a group together and working

includes the extra sense of courage or moral strength in people
guts
vsbackbone
  • Informal
2 3.7

Courage to do something difficult even when you feel afraid

also includes the idea of being a central support or strength
sinew of
vsbackbone
  • Informal
8.1

The main thing that gives strength to something

adds the human sense of courage and moral support as well

Antonyms

133 1.4

Lack of physical or mental strength that makes someone less able to act

46 5.5

Lack of courage to face danger or difficulty

Idioms

32 3.4

The main part that supports a system or group

to the backbone
  • Informal
7.1

Completely loyal and firm, not willing to change

How Strong

strength
1.2
mainstay
18 4.9
backbone
56 3.7
weakness
133 1.4
frailty
3 5.0

Surface Forms

backbone singular
backbones plural

Morphology

backbone = back + bone (transparent) = back + bone

Figurative sense ('strength, courage') is a common metaphorical extension from the idea of a central supporting structure and is readily inferred.

Etymology

The word backbone is used to mean courage because bones give strength, so to have 'backbone' is to have the inner strength or courage to stand firm.