BE-ALL AND END-ALL Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

be-all and end-all

[ bee-awl uhnd end-awl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the central and all-important part:
His work was the be-all and end-all of his existence.

be-all and end-all

noun

the ultimate aim or justification
to provide help for others is the be-all and end-all of this group
humorous.
a person or thing considered to be beyond improvement

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of be-all and end-all¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

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Example Sentences

Promotion is the be-all and end-all here, failure to achieve that will mean enduring those dreary 0-0s will have been for nothing.

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He told Laverne that while he still works "very, very hard" it is no longer the "be-all and end-all of everything".

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"That will be the be-all and end-all. He'll be judged on winning tournaments. If he doesn't he'll be deemed a failure. That's just the height of expectation of being an England manager."

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Drought Monitor shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all for decision-making, and should continue be paired with reservoir observations, snow surveys and other measurements to form a complete picture.

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Everything after this will feel more manageable, even Ireland at the end of the pool stage, which is the be-all and end-all now, presuming Scotland put away Tonga and Romania.

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