essence

be of the essence

To be a key consideration, of great importance, or absolutely necessary. It goes without saying that discretion is of the essence in this situation. Has anyone called an ambulance? Time is of the essence with this man's injuries! We have to get these pages to the printer by 8, so work faster, people—speed is of the essence!

See also: essence, of

in essence

Fundamentally; basically. Yeah, in essence, that's what I'm trying to say. In essence, she's a good person—you just need to get to know her better In essence, I'm filling John's position, yeah, but only for the week while he's out on vacation.

See also: essence

of the essence

Absolutely necessary; of great importance or key consideration. It goes without saying that discretion is of the essence in this situation. Has anyone called an ambulance? Time is of the essence with this man's injuries!

See also: essence, of

time is of the essence

Time is a key consideration in this situation (often because time is limited or a specific deadline must be met). Has anyone called an ambulance? Time is of the essence with this man's injuries! We have to get these pages to the printer by 8, so work faster, people—time is of the essence!

See also: essence, of, time

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

in essence

basically; essentially. I have lots of detailed advice for you, but in essence, I want you to do the best you can. In essence, lightning is just a giant spark of electricity.

See also: essence

Time is of the essence.

Timing and meeting all the deadlines are essential and required. (Often seen in contractual agreements.) The final payment is due on the first day of December, by midnight. Time is of the essence.

See also: essence, of, time

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

in essence

Basically, by nature, as in He is in essence a very private person or In essence, they were asking the wrong question. This term employs essence in the sense of "intrinsic nature," a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

See also: essence

of the essence

Of the greatest importance, crucial, as in Time is of the essence. This idiom, which uses essence in the sense of "the most important element of something," was first recorded in 1873, although the phrase the essence of ... was already being used in the mid-1600s.

See also: essence, of

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

of the essence

FORMAL

If something is of the essence, it is absolutely necessary in order for a particular action to be successful. Time is of the essence. Speed was of the essence in a project of this type.

See also: essence, of

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

of the essence

critically important.

1990 Louis de Bernières The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts Gentlemen, we have before us an important mission for which speed and efficiency are of the essence, and where surprise is the key element.

See also: essence, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

of the ˈessence

absolutely necessary: Time is of the essence (= we must do things as quickly as possible).

See also: essence, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

in essence

By nature; essentially: He is in essence a reclusive sort.

See also: essence

of the essence

Of the greatest importance; crucial: Time is of the essence.

See also: essence, of

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.