be of the 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!
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!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
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
FORMALIf 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.
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.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
of the ˈessence
absolutely necessary: Time is of the essence (= we must do things as quickly as possible).Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
of the essence
Of the greatest importance; crucial: Time is of the essence.
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.