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.
彼は私にとって杖とも柱とも頼む存在だ。
He is someone I lean on as my sole support.
あの先生を杖とも柱とも頼んで、研究を続けてきた。
I have continued my research relying entirely on that professor.