父の死後、長男が一家の屋台骨を支えてきた。
Since their father's death, the eldest son has been the family's mainstay.
相次ぐ不祥事で会社の屋台骨が揺らいでいる。
A string of scandals has shaken the company to its foundations.
自動車産業はこの国の経済の屋台骨だ。
The auto industry is the backbone of this country's economy.