End All Be All Meaning
Definition: The main, most important thing.
Sometimes this expression appears as the be all end all, or the be all and end all. Occasionally dashes are used to separate the words.
Origin of the End All Be All
This expression appeared in the English playwright William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, in the year 1605.
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 end-all here.
Examples of the End All Be All
The dialogue below shows two friends talking about their priorities while getting ready to go to a party.
Giuseppe: May, hurry up! We’re going to be late!
May: That’s okay. It’s polite to be a little late to parties.
Giuseppe: I’ve never heard that before.
May: Yes, it’s called being fashionably late.
Giuseppe: Well, where I am from it is polite to show up on time. What is taking you so long anyway?
May: I’m just making some last minute adjustments to my outfit.
Giuseppe: That’s not nearly as important as being there on time!
May: Are you kidding me? It’s way more important.
Giuseppe: It’s not important at all! You’re acting like your clothes are the end all be all of this event! You’ll have a good time regardless of what you are wearing.
May: You’re wrong. My clothes are the most important thing in determining the outcome of tonight’s party. I want to meet someone wildly attractive and interesting, and to do that, I have to look my best!
In the dialogue below, a father and his daughter use the expression while talking about getting another pet.
Rafal: So Vesna, what did you want to tell me?
Vesna: I have a list of 100 reasons why I should be allowed to get another dog.
Rafal: Let me save you some time. You did a good job training your last dog, which is great! However, your school grades have not been great this year.
Vesna: So? Grades aren’t that important? It’s more important to be a good person.
Rafal: That may be true. However, the end all be all in regards to you getting a new pet is your report card. If you get all As in your classes this semester, I will let you get another pet.
Vesna: Okay. It’s a deal!
More Examples
This article is about one of the most important aspects of coaching a football team.
- “I believe more and more it’s so important to have the entire coaching staff buy in and listen to them, listen to the nuances of what their evaluation is,” Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “It’s not the end all, be all. But I want to make sure people are truly in. Otherwise, within a few months, a D-coordinator or position coach could say, ‘I didn’t want this guy anyway.’” –LA Times
The second excerpt is about an athlete whose school was the most important thing when deciding where to play football.
- Golden visited other schools, but wasn’t tempted to leave: “(Penn State) is the end all, be all for me. That’s home.” –LA Times
Summary
The phrase end all be all means the ultimate goal or the most imperative part of something.
Contents
- 1 End All Be All Meaning
- 2 Origin of the End All Be All
- 3 Examples of the End All Be All
- 4 More Examples
- 5 Summary
“End all be all” is a phrase that is not used very often in everyday conversation and writing, but it has not quite yet disappeared from speech altogether. Regardless, it is difficult to understand this phrase if you have never heard it before. Here you will find the meaning of this phrase and discover a bit about its origin. You will also find some example sentences and conversations so you can see and learn how this phrase is used properly in regular conversation and discover some alternatives that you can use in place of this phrase to convey the same meaning.
End All Be All Meaning
The phrase “end all be all” means the thing in a situation or about someone that is most important above all else.
Origin of this idiom
There is little information regarding the origin of the phrase “end all be all.” The only thing certain is that the first variation of the phrase was written by Shakespeare in the play Macbeth in the year 1605. The phrase is more commonly written oppositely “be all end all” and sometimes it appears with hyphens to separate the words “be-all-end-all” or “end-all-be-all.”
“End All Be All” Examples
Example Sentences
- The end all be all for the seasons for all football players is winning the Super Bowl.
- Seeing their child happy, healthy, and successful is the end all be all of any parent.
Example Conversations
A conversation between a mother and her daughter.
- Daughter: I don’t know what I want to do with my life, mom.
- Mother: Well, you have three more years of high school to figure that out.
- Daughter: I know, but it seems like most people my age have it all figured out already.
- Mother: Trust me, even if they think they do, they don’t.
- Daughter: So you don’t think its a problem that I am still so undecided?
- Mother: Not at all! Look, my end all be all is that you are happy with whatever it is you decide to do. I know you will settle on something eventually, but for now, just explore and experience everything and take your time figuring it out.
A conversation between two friends.
- Friend 1: Did you get the job you went on an interview for the other day?
- Friend 2: No. They offered it to me and I didn’t take it.
- Friend 1: Really? Why? I thought you said it would be the perfect fit.
- Friend 2: Well, I thought so too. I changed my mind at the interview though after finding out some things. The end all be all for me though was the pay. It was a lot less than what I am making per hour now and I cannot afford to take that kind of pay cut.
Alternatives to “End All Be All”
There are many ways you can say “end all be all” with other words or phrases. Some of the substitutions you could use include:
- The most important
- The utmost important
- Most significant
What does “End All Be All” Mean? | Picture
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Last Updated on April 18, 2022
What Does End All Be All Mean?
Put simply, the idiom end all be all describes something of the utmost importance—a person or thing that is absolutely essential and seen as the best. In fact, whatever is said to be someone’s “end all be all” is so wonderful and vital in their eyes that it often ends their search for anything greater; they’re convinced better doesn’t exist. It’s their main concern and focus, and their main purpose and goal. You can also think of end all be all as meaning “the whole thing.”
If you’re looking for a synonym for the expression, one option is the French phrase raison d’être, which Merriam-Webster defines as “reason or justification for existence.” In other words, the person, place, or thing that is so important to someone, it’s the reason they live and breathe.
The phrase end all be all can be written in a variety of ways. The order of the words can be flipped, and they can be joined together with and. You’ll see the expression written with and without hyphens. All of the options below are correct forms of the idiom end all be all:
- Be all end all
- End all and be all
- Be all and end all
- End-all and be-all
- Be-all and end-all
Typically, the phrase is preceded by the and often not the. Each of the forms above can be pluralized with the addition of an s after each all.
Here are some example sentences using end all be all in its various forms.
- Mary’s new boyfriend is her be all end all; she’s always with him and never has time to hang out with me anymore.
- For most baseball players, winning the World Series trophy is their end all be all.
- I was so worried and anxious about passing my weekly math test until my mom reminded me it is not the be-all and end-all for my class grade.
- There’s so much to worry about with a wedding, but for me, my dress is the end-all and be-all.
- I love being a teacher: It is the be-all and end-all of my life.
The Origins of the Phrase
As is the case with many other common idioms (see below), this expression seems to have been coined by the playwright William Shakespeare, around 1605. It appears in his play Macbeth, a tragedy that tells the story of the Scottish general Macbeth, who, after receiving a prophecy that he’ll one day become King of Scotland, murders King Duncan and claims the throne for himself. Things don’t go well for Macbeth after that: He commits even more murders and becomes a tyrannical ruler before civil war ensues. Tragic, indeed!
It appears in Act 1, Scene 7, when Macbeth is thinking about killing King Duncan:
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…
To Macbeth, it seems as if assassinating King Duncan would be the end all be all, bringing him what he so desperately wants: the crown. He doesn’t see past the killing, and feels it’s the only thing to do, that there is no better option. In other words, he believes it will be the last word on the subject of him becoming king and it is thus his ultimate goal. But as mentioned above, this isn’t the only terrible action he’ll have to commit in the play in order to get and keep the throne, and thus doesn’t turn out to be the be all end all, well, at all.
Understanding Idioms and Clichés
End all be all is an idiom. An idiom is an expression with an intended meaning that can’t fully be understood just by looking at the words that comprise it. As you’ve already discovered, these words and phrases have a figurative rather than literal meaning. Even if you’ve never heard the term idiom, you have most likely heard many idiomatic expressions. Here are just a few of the most common idioms used today:
You’re in hot water.
His boss gave him the ax.
It’s time to face the music.
You’ve hit the nail on the head.If you took the first example literally, you’d think it was describing a person standing in a bathtub full of hot water, perhaps. But the expression is actually used to describe a person who’s in trouble. Likewise, rather than literally being handed a tool for chopping wood, if you get the ax from your boss, it means you’re getting fired. It’s time to face the music means that it’s time to come to terms with the consequences of your actions. And when someone has hit the nail on the head, they’ve gotten an answer exactly right or done something exactly as it should have been done.
Just taken as is, literally, the phrase end all be all doesn’t make much sense or mean much. Yet knowing its figurative definition, we can see that, like other idioms, the phrase conveys emotion and an idea quite concisely.
Some language experts also consider this phrase a cliché. In particular, Eric Partridge, a lexicographer (author or editor of a dictionary), thought it a cliché by the 19th century. What is a cliché? A trite, overused expression; a phrase that has perhaps become too commonplace. Interestingly, the expression doesn’t appear to be as popular today as it once was.
Other Shakespearean Sayings
William Shakespeare’s influence on the English language is undeniable. As mentioned at the start of this article, many idioms used in modern English today come from the mind and work of Shakespeare. Here are just a few other sayings to his credit:
- Kill with kindness
- Wild-goose chase
- Green-eyed monster
- Apple of my eye
- Break the ice
- Pure as the driven snow
- Alas, poor Yorick
- It’s (all) Greek to me
- Love is blind
- All the world’s a stage
- Heart of gold
- All that glitters is not gold
- Mortal coil
- Too much of a good thing
- All’s well that ends well
- Brevity is the soul of wit
For the figurative meanings of these idioms, consult an idioms dictionary.
Summary
End all be all means the most important element; something that is essential or one’s ultimate concern or purpose. When something is the end all be all, there is no substitution for it and thus no need to seek out alternatives to it. The idiomatic expression most likely first appeared in Shakespeare’s Macbeth around 1605. It can be written in various ways, including end-all and be-all and be-all and end-all.
Maggie Cramer
For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated my career to words and language, as a writer, editor, and communications specialist and as a language arts educator. I’m excited to explore all things English with you and The Word Counter!
I currently reside in Asheville, North Carolina. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary English Education from the University of Florida.
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What is the meaning of “end all be all?” what are people talking about when they use this idiomatic phrase? This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning, origin, and use of this expression.
The meaning of the phrase “end all be all” refers to an extreme situation that has a definitive outcome that could change the direction of something, whether that’s a person’s life or their lunch.
For example, you could say that the talk your boyfriend wants to have with you could be the “end all be all” of your relationship. Or, using jalapeño peppers in an omelet could be the end all be all of whether the dish tastes great or not.
“End all be all” can also refer to the best part of something, such as the peppers in the omelet example above. You’ll use the phrase when you say that something is “coming to a head” and requires immediate decisions and actions to move things forward.
In some cases, people may use it as a hyperbole statement, exaggerating a conversation or engagement outcome. However, if you hear people using the term, it’s usually in a case of emergency, and the expected result is not far away.
End All be All Example Usage
“When your grilling a steak, the correct searing of the meat is the end all be all of how the steak holds its juices and flavor.”
The upcoming exam is the end all be all of your college careers. It means the difference between working for a leading firm like Goldman or not getting hired at all.”
“Impressing your girlfriend’s parents is the end all be all for your relationship. If they don’t like you, she’s likely to leave you.”
“As Khabib put the bulldog choke on Connor, it was the end all be all moment of the fight.”
“The manager told me that my sales figures this month are the end all be all of me staying at the company. I hope I don’t have to find a new job.”
End All be All Origin
The origin of “end all be all” comes from William Shakespeare’s 1605 play, “Macbeth.” Shakespeare uses the phrase in the following format.
“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 end-all here.”
The phrase inferred the same meaning as it has today, and it hasn’t changed in the last 400-years. It’s one of the few idiomatic phrases from this era that remains in its original format.
Phrases Similar to End All be All
- All or nothing.
- Be all end all.
- Do or die.
Phrases Opposite to End All be All
- Non-factor.
What is the Correct Saying?
- End all be all.
Ways People May Say End All be All Incorrectly
Using the phrase to describe the end of something is the incorrect use of the term. For instance, you wouldn’t use it to describe the final days of a vacation or the last bite of a meal.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase End All be All
You can use “end all be all” when describing a deciding factor in your life. Whether it’s a relationship or cooking a meal, this phrase has several applications in language. It suits professional and social use, and most people will understand what you are saying when using the term. Some people may use “end all be all” as hyperbole to their life situation.
People use idiomatic expressions, or idioms, to add character and dynamism to otherwise stale conversations and writing. Instead of saying that there was a torrential downpour last night, people may use that it was raining cats and dogs.
Another example is rooting for the underdog. This phrase means that people are on the side of the person (or team, if you’re talking about sports) who is likely to lose. An underdog is a predicted loser in a contest or struggle.
Today, we’re going to talk about a new phrase. This is end all be all.
What Does End All Be All Mean?
The meaning of end all be all is something of utmost importance, such as an ultimate goal. This could be a thing or a person that is absolutely crucial and seen as best. People sometimes use hyphens to separate the words.
When someone considers you as their “end all be all,” be flattered. This means that you’re vital and wonderful in that person’s eyes that it almost always ends their search for anything better or greater. They’re practically convinced that you’re the best and no one can top you.
Sometimes, people use the phrase “end all be all” disparagingly to refer to an event or an individual that is not important. When they add sarcasm to this phrase, the speaker obviously means the exact opposite.
The Origin of End All Be All
Just like other common idioms, this expression seems to have originated from William Shakespeare, a famous playwright, around 1605. A variation of End All Be All shows up in “Macbeth.”
This play tells the story of Macbeth, a Scottish general who assassinates King Duncan and claims the throne for himself after getting a prophecy that he’ll become King of Scotland one day. The events, unfortunately, don’t go well after this. This is a tragedy, as Macbeth turns into a tyrannical ruler and commits even more murders.
When Macbeth is thinking about murdering King Duncan, he said this:
“…this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here…”
Macbeth looks at the assassination of King Duncan as the end all be all, giving the former the goal he wants so desperately: to snatch the crown. He believes that murder the only option. The assassination will be the final word on the subject of Macbeth being king, It, therefore, is his ultimate goal.
If you’re familiar with the whole story of Macbeth, however, you’ll realize that the murder of King Duncan to get and keep the throne doesn’t turn out to be the end all be all. The titular character will be doing a lot more killings in the future, which causes a civil war.
Is It End All Be All or Be All End All?
When talking about the word order for end all be all, you can write this idiomatic expression in many different ways. You have the option to flip the order of the words and even use the word “and” to join the words together. You’ll find the expression written without and with hyphens.
Here are some of the correct forms of the phrase end all be all:
- Be All End All
- End-All and Be-All
- End All and Be All
- Be All and End All
Usually, the word “the” precedes the phrase and often “not the.” You can even pluralize the forms above with an addition of an “s” after each “all.” An example is “Be Alls and End Alls,” which refers to ultimate goals.
How Do You Use End All Be All?
Remember that end all be all refers to the most important thing or person, or something really good or important.
Take a look at these examples to see this idiomatic expression in action:
- Fancy MacBook Airs are the end all and be all for my children, but I can’t afford to obtain these gadgets.
- I love getting the opportunity to say a wonderful good night to my kids as I tuck them in bed. I consider this the be-all and end-all of my life.
- My younger sister thought of becoming a cheerleader was the end all be all, but she hates how snobby the girls are on the cheerleading squad.
- Winning the World Series trophy is the be all end all for a lot of baseball players.
Other Words for End All Be All
If you prefer to use different, you could substitute end all be all with a different synonym. Here are a few examples:
- If you want to be a great doctor, you’ll need to get straight As. This will be the most important thing for you.
- When whipping up this particular dish, saffron is the crucial ingredient when talking about flavor.
- You shouldn’t forget to attend this exam. This is your ultimate goal if you want to go further in your career.
The phrase end all be all has many variations. Regardless of the form you use, remember that the definition remains the same.