BE ALL AND END ALL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does be all and end all mean? 

• BE ALL AND END ALL (noun)
  The noun BE ALL AND END ALL has 1 sense:

1. the essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim

  Familiarity information: BE ALL AND END ALL used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BE ALL AND END ALL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

be-all and end-all; be all and end all

Context example:

profit is the be-all and end-all of business

Hypernyms ("be all and end all" is a kind of...):

component; constituent; element; factor; ingredient (an abstract part of something)