be-all and end-all

American  

[bee-awl uhnd end-awl] / ˈbiˌɔl ənd ˈɛndˌɔl /

noun

1. the central and all-important part.

   His work was the be-all and end-all of his existence.

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be-all and end-all British  

noun

1. the ultimate aim or justification

   to provide help for others is the be-all and end-all of this group

2. humorous a person or thing considered to be beyond improvement

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Etymology

Origin of be-all and end-all

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

But California would not prove to be the be-all and end-all for the rapper, who chose to lay down more permanent roots in Utah, just outside of Salt Lake City.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

One woman told the tribunal that Gilbert had been the "golden boy" of his department, and that he was the "be-all and end-all for transplants in Oxford".

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Drought Monitor shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all for decision-making, and should continue be paired with reservoir observations, snow surveys and other measurements to form a complete picture.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2024

Although the "attention economy" has always existed, it has become the be-all and end-all of any audiovisual or editorial production.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2023

The realization baffled me, since that had been primary on our minds when we left—the be-all and end-all of our journey, the reason for leaving Mamá’s side.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall