命根子

mìnggēnzi ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄍㄣ ˙ㄗ

    • one's most treasured person or thing
    • lifeblood

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Idiom惯用语 · In everyday use

Literally
root of life
Meaning
The person or thing someone cherishes most and could not do without, such as a child or a livelihood.

Sources