Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

be-all-and-end-all

idiom
/ˌbiː ˈɔːl ənd ˈɛnd ɔːl/
Definition
The most important factor or element of something; the ultimate reason or essential part.
Examples
  • Some people think wealth is the be-all-and-end-all of life.
  • For her, winning the championship was the be-all-and-end-all of her athletic career.
  • He believes that education is the be-all-and-end-all for achieving success.
Meaning
Used to emphasize that something is the most important aspect of a particular situation or the ultimate goal.
Synonyms
  • ultimate
  • most important
  • essential
  • crucial factor