patron saint

Definitions

1. A saint conceived as the patron (protector or supporter) of a particular place, group, person, or activity, for whom or for which his or her intercession is specially invoked.
2. An exemplar: an individual who exemplifies some trait or group.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“When Aimé Humbert joined Josephine in Paris, he visited the Inspector of Police, and was so depressed by his meeting that she sent him to the Louvre ‘to look⟳ at the wonderful painting of St Marguerite, the patron saint of purity, trampling down the hideous dragon and looking so calm and peaceful’.”

“My patron saint, St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco—also known as “St. John the Wonderworker”—is particularly noteworthy in this regard […]”

“Entering the tunnel, we pass⟳ a small shrine above our heads which contains a statue of St Barbara, the patron saint of tunnellers. It is traditional to have⟳ such shrines on every tunnel site.”

“Janet is the patron saint of procrastination. I'm thinking of erecting her a shrine of doughnut boxes in the breakroom.”

CEFR level