Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sinew of

sinew of

8.1
The main thing that gives strength to something
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : sustento de
  • Endless money forms the sinews of war.

Examples

  • Some of the heavy-industrial areas that once formed the sinews of German power in both East and West Germany are now depressed, relative to new, rapidly growing industrial areas of high technology in southern West Germany (Lavrov 1989).

    Academic text (1991)

  • Endless money forms the sinews of war.

  • From the beginning of history, horses were the sinews of empire.

  • Some of the heavy-industrial areas that once formed the sinews of German power are now depressed.

Synonyms

backbone
vssinew of
56 3.7

The strength or courage to do what is difficult

focuses on power and vitality rather than moral courage or character
the pillar of
vssinew of
33 4.8

A main thing that supports and keeps something strong

stresses active source of power and vitality rather than passive support
backbone of
vssinew of
32 3.4

The main part that supports a system or group

is more about inner strength and life force than structural foundation
heart and soul
vssinew of
28 3.4

The most important part that holds a group or thing together

focuses more on raw power and strength rather than essential identity
mainstay
vssinew of
18 4.9

The main support that people or things depend on

emphasizes living strength and vitality rather than steady support

Antonyms

weakness
133 1.4

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

ineffectiveness
6 5.4

Not able to produce the result you want

How Strong

powerhouse
57 4.5
driving force
39 4.1
backbone
56 3.7
sinew of
  • Informal
8.1
to support
∞ 1.0
weakness
133 1.4

Surface Forms

sinew of singular
sinews of plural

Morphology

sinew + of

The meaning arises via a metaphorical extension: 'sinew' literally denotes a tendon (something that transmits force) so 'sinew of X' can be inferred as the main source of strength or support for X if the learner knows 'sinew' and 'of'. Because this is a figurative, somewhat literary use rather than a fully compositional, everyday pattern, it is predictable but not immediately transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Sinew of comes from the old word sinew, a tough cord that joins muscle to bone and gives the body strength. So, sinew of is used to mean 'the main source of strength' in something.