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!

See also: essence, of

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

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

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.

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References in periodicals archive ?

More and more of those who had not yet recognized bishops do so each year, though we cannot find episcopacy to be of the essence of the church.

Why can't we taste and see? Ecumenical progress over the past half century has been profound, but eminent Lutheran church historian and ecumenist Martin E. Marty mourns the continuing scandal of our separation at the Lord's table. Can a new pope help?