be-all and end-all

noun

ˈbē-ˌȯl-ən(d)-ˈend-ˌȯl 

1

: prime cause : essential element

2

: totality sense 1

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

For those whose work is their be-all and end-all, being let go can be earth-shattering. —Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2023

The signup offer, while incredibly lucrative, isn’t the be-all and end-all for DraftKings. —Gary Pearson | Catena Media, al, 1 Dec. 2022

Although a loss to the Bills would drop those chances to 25 percent, the outcome of Thursday’s game is not the be-all and end-all. —Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022

Deficit reduction was the be-all and end-all of fiscal policy. —Martin Sullivan, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022

Growth is the be-all and end-all of mainstream economic and political thinking. —David Marchesephoto Illustration By Bráulio Amado, New York Times, 17 July 2022

The days of the domestic American business being the be-all and end-all are long gone. —Simon Thompson, Forbes, 21 June 2022

But companies should be wary of treating cyber insurance as the be-all and end-all of protection against attacks, Evans warns. —Rishi Iyengar, CNN, 23 Mar. 2022

Love is framed as the be-all and end-all of human existence in books, films, TV shows and songs. —Serena Smith, refinery29.com, 14 Dec. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1