lynch pin
Crucial holding element
A lynch pin—usually spelled linchpin—is a pin inserted through an axle to keep a wheel in place.
From this literal sense comes the figurative meaning: something or someone essential to holding a system together.
She was the linchpin of the entire operation.
The spelling "lynch pin" is a common error, perhaps influenced by the unrelated word lynch.
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- load bearingCarrying structural weight
- pivotPoint of rotation
- hubCentral connection point
center of gravity · crux · anchor · fulcrum · key player · axle · wheel and axle · wheel · essential · crucial · central · core · hinge · foundation · backbone · mainstay · holding it together · kingpin
- wheelwrightingwheelwright, spoke, hub, rim, nave
- fastenersbolt, screw, nail, nut, clip
- latcheslatch, door latch, gate latch, hasp, clasp
lynch pinnonessential
Not required or needed
dispensable · expendable · inessential · superfluous · redundant
lynch pinloose end
Unresolved remaining detail
appendage · ornament · accessory · embellishment · tangent
lynch pindecorative hardware
Functional items prioritizing aesthetics
ornament · embellishment · garnish · window dressing · trim