crutch
word
Definition
A crutch is a stick or support that helps someone walk if they hurt their leg. It also means something you depend on for help or support, not just a physical object.
Usage & Nuances
'Crutch' is literal for injury support and metaphorical for anything someone relies on excessively (e.g., a 'crutch' in arguments or habits). Common collocation: 'lean on a crutch'. Distinguish from 'cane', which usually means a walking stick for elderly or visually impaired.
Spanish: muleta - apoyo (figurado)Portuguese (BR): muleta - apoio (figurado)Portuguese (PT): muleta - apoio (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 拐杖 - 依赖（比喻）Chinese (Traditional): 拐杖 - 依賴（比喻）Hindi: बैसाखी - सहारा (रूपक)Arabic: عكاز - دعم معنوي (مجازي)Bengali: ক্রাচ - অবলম্বন (মেটাফোরিক্যাল অর্থে)Russian: костыль - опора (переносное значение)Japanese: 松葉杖 - 頼り（比喩的な意味）Vietnamese: nạng - chỗ dựa (nghĩa bóng)Korean: 목발 - 의지(비유적 의미)Turkish: koltuk değneği - dayanak (mecazi anlamda)Urdu: بیساکھی - سہارا (استعاراتی طور پر)Indonesian: kruk - tumpuan (arti kiasan)
Example Sentences
For years, coffee was my morning crutch.
natural
He’s leaning on his friends as an emotional crutch right now.
natural
He needs a crutch to walk after his accident.
basic
The doctor gave her a crutch.
basic
He cannot walk without his crutch.
basic
Sometimes, excuses become a mental crutch.
natural