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
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
More important, median income 4-6 years after graduation isn’t the be-all and end-all of outcome metrics.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
Personal autonomy isn’t the be-all and end-all of ethical calculations.
—Matthew X. Wilson, National Review, 10 July 2024
But as was the case when Grier was named the GM two years ago after his playing history in San Jose, having local ties is not the be-all and end-all of finding a coach who can stay for several years.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024
But despite its enormous successes, no one thinks that these particles and forces are the be-all and end-all of existence.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Okay, but TikTok is not the be-all and end-all of scientific information.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2023
Every oven is different, with some running hotter than others, and while the times listed in recipes are what the recipe developer experienced and offered as a guide for you at home, audio and visual cues should be the be-all and end-all for deciding when a dish is ready to come out of the oven.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023
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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
More important, median income 4-6 years after graduation isn’t the be-all and end-all of outcome metrics.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
Personal autonomy isn’t the be-all and end-all of ethical calculations.
—Matthew X. Wilson, National Review, 10 July 2024
But as was the case when Grier was named the GM two years ago after his playing history in San Jose, having local ties is not the be-all and end-all of finding a coach who can stay for several years.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024
But despite its enormous successes, no one thinks that these particles and forces are the be-all and end-all of existence.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Okay, but TikTok is not the be-all and end-all of scientific information.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2023
Every oven is different, with some running hotter than others, and while the times listed in recipes are what the recipe developer experienced and offered as a guide for you at home, audio and visual cues should be the be-all and end-all for deciding when a dish is ready to come out of the oven.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near the be-all and end-all
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 1 Dec. 2024.
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