raison d'être
raison d'être
The fundamental reason for something or someone to exist; the sole or most important purpose for someone or something. From French, literally "reason for being." I know it's something of a cliché, but my children really are my raison d'être. We've always prized serious social commentary as our magazine's raison d'être.
See also: raison
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
his, your, etc. ˌraison ˈd’être
/%reIzQ~ "detr@; American English %reIzoUn/ (from French) the most important reason for somebody’s/something’s existence: Work seems to be her sole raison d’être.The meaning of the French phrase is ‘reason for being’.
See also: raison
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- être
- his, your, etc. raison d'être
- raison
- all the more reason to (do something)
- all the more reason for
- all the more reason for (doing something)
- by virtue of
- by virtue of (something)
- (one) won't eat (someone)
- (one) won't bite (someone)