tent-pole
Campsite vertical beam
A tent-pole is a pole that supports a tent, but the word now commonly describes a major product expected to support an entire business or franchise.
In entertainment, a tent-pole movie is a big-budget release meant to generate enough revenue to carry a studio's less profitable projects: The superhero sequel is the studio's summer tent-pole.
The metaphor extends to any anchor product or event that props up surrounding ventures.
Overhead protective covering
- awningMounted overhead shelter
- tarpWaterproof protective sheeting
- lean-toSimple sloped shelter
- tepeeConical skin tent
yurt · pavilion · gazebo · dome · marquee · cabana · pop-up · shade
Enormously successful entertainment property
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- flagshipCommander's principal vessel
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- summerYear's warmest season
release · studio · box-office · Marvel · Disney · sequel · premiere · spectacle
Heavy woven cloth
- stakesPosts or wagers
- vestibuleEnclosed space between doors
- groundsheetTent's protective base layer
- campfireOutdoor fire for gathering
campsite · backpacking · s'mores · stargazing · wilderness · marshmallow · lantern · firewood
Horizontal bar between uprights
- frameSupporting outer structure
- hubCentral connection point
- connectorThing that joins others
- jointsSkeletal connection points
aluminum · fiberglass · collapsible · segmented · telescoping · ferrule · grommet · sleeve
canopy
Overhead protective covering
tepee · yurt · pavilion · gazebo · dome · marquee · cabana · pop-up · shade · refuge
blockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- flagshipCommander's principal vessel
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
summer · release · studio · box-office · Marvel · Disney · sequel · premiere · spectacle · Hollywood
canvas
Heavy woven cloth
- stakesPosts or wagers
- vestibuleEnclosed space between doors
- groundsheetTent's protective base layer
campfire · campsite · backpacking · s'mores · stargazing · wilderness · marshmallow · lantern · firewood · backcountry
crossbar
Horizontal bar between uprights
joints · aluminum · fiberglass · collapsible · segmented · telescoping · ferrule · grommet · sleeve · clip
tent-poletent stake
Metal pin securing shelters
tent peg · guy line · ground anchor · tent fabric · canopy
tent-polefiller
Substance closing gaps
B-movie · also-ran · throwaway · afterthought · indie film
tent-poledependent
Requiring outside support
hanger-on · parasite · leech · free rider · dead weight