From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthe sinews of somethingthe sinews of somethingliterarySUPPORT A PERSON, GROUP, OR PLAN something that gives strength or support to a government, country, or system They have begun building the sinews of an independent nation. → sinew
Examples from the Corpus
the sinews of something• This is made possible by different cultural attitudes, secrecy in government and the sinews of party.• When the cuffs went on he had braced the sinews of his wrists to secure the maximum space when he relaxed. 