be-all and end-all
[ bee-awl uh nd end-awl ]
/ ˈbiˌɔl ənd ˈɛndˌɔl /
noun
the central and all-important part: His work was the be-all and end-all of his existence.
Origin of be-all and end-all
First recorded in 1595–1605
Words nearby be-all and end-all
be that as it may,
be the death of,
be the end of one,
be the making of,
be-,
be-all and end-all,
be-all and end-all, the,
bea,
beach,
beach aster,
beach ball
British Dictionary definitions for be-all and end-all
be-all and end-all
noun informal
the ultimate aim or justification
to provide help for others is the be-all and end-all of this group
often jocular
a person or thing considered to be beyond improvement