“Be All and End All” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 11, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The phrase “be all and end all” might be regularly heard during day to day conversation but what does this term mean? We are going to find out the meaning of this phrase as well as finding out where it originally came from. We are also going to take a look at some examples of how the phrase can be used within a conversation and a sentence.

Be All and End All Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Be all and end all” means the most important or essential part of something, often viewed as the ultimate goal or priority.
Be All and End All Meaning
Be All and End All Meaning – Created by 7ESL

Be All and End All Meaning

The phrase “be all and end all” refers to something or someone that is considered the most important or essential part of a situation, to the point where nothing else matters. It suggests that this thing or person is the ultimate factor or goal, often implying that without it, nothing else is significant.

Origin of this Term

The phrase “be all and end all” originates from William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth uses the term while contemplating the consequences of assassinating King Duncan. He says:

“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly: if the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here…”

In this context, Macbeth is reflecting on whether the murder could be the final, decisive act (“be-all and end-all”) with no further consequences. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer more generally to something that is seen as the most important or ultimate goal.

Usage of “Be All and End All”

  1. In a career context:
    “For him, becoming the CEO is the be all and end all of his ambitions.”
  2. In sports:
    “Winning this championship is not the be all and end all; there’s more to life than just sports.”
  3. In education:
    “Some students treat getting perfect grades as the be all and end all of their education.”
  4. In personal relationships:
    “He thought his relationship was the be all and end all, but soon realized there’s more to life than just one person.”

In these examples, the phrase is used to highlight something that is considered the ultimate or most important aspect of a situation.

Related Terms to “Be All and End All”

  • Ultimate goal – The most important objective or aim.
  • Top priority – The highest or most important focus.
  • Holy grail – Something that is highly sought after and considered extremely valuable.
  • Endgame – The final or ultimate objective of a process or situation.
  • The whole point – The primary or main reason for doing something.
  • The crux – The most important or decisive point of an issue.
  • Bottom line – The most important fact or outcome in a situation.
  • End-all – Similar to “be all and end all,” meaning the final or most significant factor.
  • Main focus – The central point of attention or importance.
  • The alpha and omega – Refers to the beginning and the end, often used to signify something as all-encompassing or the ultimate factor.

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

There are many other ways in which you could refer to the meaning of the phrase be all and end all, let’s take a look at some examples of how you might do this.

  • The most important thing
  • Something crucial

“Be All and End All” Examples

Examples in Statements

We will now look at some examples of sentences in which the term be all and end all might appear.

The first statement is being made in a blog post.

  • When cooking this dish, the paprika is the be all and end all when it comes to flavour.

The next sentence is being said by a mother to her son.

  • You must not forget to attend this exam, it is the be all and end all if you want to progress in your career.

Conversation Examples

There are many times in which the term be all and end all might show up in a conversation. Let’s take a look at some examples of this now.

The first conversation is taking place between two friends.

  • Person 1: “I am going to meet my boyfriend’s parents this weekend.”
  • Person 2: “Oh wow, impressing them is the be all and end all for your relationship.”

The next conversation is one which is happening between a teacher and student.

  • Person 1: “I really want to be a doctor when I leave school.”
  • Person 2: “You can do that.”
  • Person 1: “What do I need to do?”
  • Person 2: “Well, you need to go to university so getting good grades will be the be all and end all for you.”
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