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
In Nassib's case, though, football wasn't the be-all and end-all.
—
Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Medications are not the be-all and end-all solutions.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Remind Them Prom Doesn’t Define Them Many teens think of prom as the be-all and end-all experience of their high school career.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 5 May 2025
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Medications are not the be-all and end-all solutions.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Remind Them Prom Doesn’t Define Them Many teens think of prom as the be-all and end-all experience of their high school career.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 5 May 2025
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
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 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share