(cornerstone/bedrock) of
Meaning(s)
1. the most basic/important part of something upon which everything else is based
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Low
Social
How to Memorize
production was the cornerstone/bedrock of the business
Analysis
A ‘cornerstone’ or ‘bedrock’ is something that acts as a foundation or base upon which other things are based or decided upon. Someone might be described as 'the bedrock of the community', for example - someone who organises events or who others depend on to get things done. If you say that something is 'the cornerstone', it means it is important and without it, other things would not be possible. This expression can be used in social and professional contexts.
Social Examples (Basic)
- Traditionalists would argue that marriage and children are the bedrock of family life.
Social Examples (Advance)
- The politician controversially made immigration reform the cornerstone of his election campaign, prompting both criticism and support in equal measure.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- Research and development, production, and sales were the cornerstones of the business. They were the three pillars upon which everything else had been built.