umbilical cord

Definitions

1. The flexible structure connecting a foetus with the placenta; it transports nourishment to the foetus and removes waste.
2. The line that supplies an astronaut with oxygen and communications when outside a spacecraft.
3. Any of the various lines connecting a rocket to its launch pad before liftoff.
4. Synonym of funiculus.
5. An overdependence on or overattachment to support, especially from one's parents or guardians.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Remember⟳ the eastern leg of HS2 being lopped back to the East Midlands? To this Yorkshireman, this was a tragedy. It removed the umbilical cord designed to connect⟳ and bind⟳ together the modern advanced manufacturing corridor of England (West Midlands-East Midlands-the reborn Sheffield-Leeds-Teesside-Tyneside), helping it to be capable of competing internationally through the synergy of skills and skilled people.”

CEFR level