the be-all and end-all

Meaning: The most important thing, or the only thing that matters.

Example: “Grades matter, but they're not the be-all and end-all of school.”

Origin: From Shakespeare's Macbeth (around 1606), where Macbeth hopes the murder of Duncan "might be the be-all and the end-all" of the matter.

Equivalents in other languages

sell one's soul to the devil To give up one's principles in exchange for money, power or success.
eat humble pie To admit one was wrong and apologize humbly.
a Tower of Babel A noisy scene where many people speak different languages, or a confusion of voices.
long time no see A friendly greeting to someone one has not seen for a long time.
a Judas kiss An act of apparent friendship that hides betrayal.
the ball is in your court It is now your turn to act or decide.

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

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Sensible Actually means 'sensitive' or 'perceptible'. For sensible (levelheaded), say sensato.
Familiar Actually means 'family member' or 'relating to the family'. Un ambiente familiar = a fami…

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