杖つえとも柱はしらとも頼たのむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

to lean entirely on someone; to count on someone as one's sole support

Idiomatic expression meaning to rely completely on a single person as if they were both a walking stick and a pillar. Often used when someone is the only source of help or support.

• 彼かれは私わたしにとって杖つえとも柱はしらとも頼たのむ存そん在ざいだ。

  He is someone I lean on as my sole support.

• あの先せん生せいを杖つえとも柱はしらとも頼たのんで、研けん究きゅうを続つづけてきた。

  I have continued my research relying entirely on that professor.