Be All End All
I think that it is safe to say that everyone has heard the saying, "be all end all." This saying has been around since 1595 and therefore has been used quite a bit. Typically people do not use the saying "be all end all" however we see the saying used in literature quite a bit. The dictionary definition of "be all end all" says that this saying is the quintessential or the most important element. For instance if a person was trying to say that science is all that mattered, they could say something like such as: "Science is the be all end all for figuring out how we can to be."
Uses
We use "be all end all" in a couple different ways. Some people will use the phrase to describe a situation that has surpassed what anyone has suspected. They will use "be all end all" to describe a situation or a person who has excelled or who has surpassed everyone else who has ever tried. For instance when describing Olympic winner Michael Phelps in swimming, a person could describe him as the "be all end all" in the category for swimming.
However, on the other hand, people use the phrase, "be all end all" as a way to explain the extremeness of a situation. People will say that a passion that they are feeling is the "be all end all" of what they need to do. I would say that it is safe to say that when a person uses "be all end all" they are describing something that they feel passionate about or something that is so important that nothing else could top what it is.
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare used the phrase "be all end all" throughout some of his literature. When William Shakespeare would use this phrase he would be describing more on an action. For instance, Shakespeare used this line in Macbeth, however when Shakespeare used this phrase he was wondering about an action and was wondering if the action that was about to take place will "be all" that is required of Macbeth and wondering if the "end all" will be the fact that he will be king after he goes through with whatever action he is discussing. Therefore as people can tell, this phrase has been slightly skewed and has adapted more finite uses and reasoning's compared to what it once was used for.
Modern Uses
Typically people do not hear the phrase "be all end all" being used very often, however we still use the phrase quite a bit, often to express extreme feelings about issues and thoughts that they are having. When a person crosses the phrase they will more then likely read it rather then hear it.
Many authors will use the phrase to express intense emotions that a person is feeling, rather then describe the emotion for paragraphs at a time. Authors will find it much easier to write this phrase down so that readers understand how intense a particular character is feeling at the time.
Many people who understand the phrase and try using it in everyday conversations will come to realize rather quickly that using the phrase may be harder then what they were thinking. To say something or how your feeling is the "be all end all" essentially means that no matter what happens or what else is said, what you are trying to prove or feel at that exact moment is it, nothing else will matter.
Typically people will not make such declarations unless they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what they are trying to prove is correct or unless they make decisions and declarations purely based upon emotions and no logical thought. Either way, it is important to understand the meaning and definition behind words and phrases. Understanding how finite the definition of "be all end all" is really important because it will allow people to understand what they are saying and how they are using it.
