"be all and end all"

Posted by ESC on June 02, 2003

In Reply to: "Be all and end all" posted by S. Ryan on June 02, 2003

: Is this an American phrase or does it have origins in Britain? What is its most accepted meaning?

Britain.

BE-ALL AND END-ALL - "The dominant factor. In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' the first act describes a plot by Macbeth and his wife to assassinate King Duncan of Scotland so Macbeth can become king. Soliloquizing on the scheme, Macbeth says: 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.'" From the The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

• "Be all and end all" ESC 06/02/03
  • "Be all and end all" Bella 06/02/03