the be-all and end-all
noun phrase
: the most important part of something or the reason for something
He acts as if making money is the be-all and end-all of human existence.
Examples of the be-all and end-all in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are loads who thought the Boleyn was the be-all and end-all of a stadium and believe the stadium was rocking every week.
—
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Google Search isn’t the be-all and end-all anymore, so Google SEO alone is too limiting.
—Nancy Marshall, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
If Organic Produce Isn't an Option – 'Don't Stress'
A strictly organic diet—which is often expensive—isn't the be-all and end-all, according to Kelly Sturm, an oncology specialist based in Minnesota.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Don’t misunderstand this: that Arsenal team could play too, but winning was the be-all and end-all and being practical to that aim was fundamental.
—Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Business leaders often see collective bargaining agreements as the be-all and end-all of management’s relationship with unions.
—Harvard Business Review, 13 Jan. 2025
Similar to Perez-Jordan, Mitchell acknowledges that elections are not the be-all and end-all of building political power but sees them as opportunities to shape the terrain of future organizing.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 15 Aug. 2024
Rather than focusing on a two-state solution as the be-all and end-all of the dispute, international leaders should focus first on ensuring that Palestinians and Israelis have equal rights.
—Marwan Muasher, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
That means caring for your parents can’t be the be-all and end-all value without becoming self-defeating.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 8 Sep. 2024
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Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Google Search isn’t the be-all and end-all anymore, so Google SEO alone is too limiting.
—Nancy Marshall, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
If Organic Produce Isn't an Option – 'Don't Stress'
A strictly organic diet—which is often expensive—isn't the be-all and end-all, according to Kelly Sturm, an oncology specialist based in Minnesota.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Don’t misunderstand this: that Arsenal team could play too, but winning was the be-all and end-all and being practical to that aim was fundamental.
—Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Business leaders often see collective bargaining agreements as the be-all and end-all of management’s relationship with unions.
—Harvard Business Review, 13 Jan. 2025
Similar to Perez-Jordan, Mitchell acknowledges that elections are not the be-all and end-all of building political power but sees them as opportunities to shape the terrain of future organizing.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 15 Aug. 2024
Rather than focusing on a two-state solution as the be-all and end-all of the dispute, international leaders should focus first on ensuring that Palestinians and Israelis have equal rights.
—Marwan Muasher, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
That means caring for your parents can’t be the be-all and end-all value without becoming self-defeating.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 8 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The be-all and end-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20be-all%20and%20end-all. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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