alpha and omega, the
alpha and omega
The beginning and the end; the entirety of something. (Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.) In order to do well on the exam, you need to know the alpha and omega of the textbook.
See also: alpha, and, omega
from A to Z
From the very beginning to the very end; covering or regarding the entire possible range or scope. We have to do a stock count of everything in the warehouse, from A to Z! This introductory philosophy course will examine the field from A to Z, beginning with the Greeks and finishing with the work of modern philosophers.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
alpha and omega
both the beginning and the end; the essentials, from the beginning to the end; everything, from the beginning to the end. He was forced to learn the alpha and omega of corporate law in order to even talk to the lawyers. He loved her deeply. She was his alpha and omega.
See also: alpha, and, omega
from A to Z
Fig. of a complete and wide variety. We have just about everything from A to Z. She ordered everything on the menu from A to Z.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
alpha and omega
The beginning and the end, the first and the last, as in She had to master the alpha and omega of the new computer program before she could even begin . This idiom and its meaning, based on the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, appears in the New Testament (Revelation 1:8): "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord," where it is repeated three more times.
See also: alpha, and, omega
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
from A to Z
COMMON From A to Z means from the beginning to the end of an activity or including everything in a situation. I made a detailed plan and followed it from A to Z. Staff members were sent to assist the families with pretty well everything they needed from A to Z.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
alpha and omega
1 the beginning and the end. 2 the essence or most important features.Alpha and omega are respectively the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Christians use the phrase as a title for Jesus Christ, taking it from Revelation 1:8: ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord’.
2 1994 BBC Holidays At Cambridge…you'll find the alpha and omega of American academic life: historic Harvard and space-age MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
See also: alpha, and, omega
from A to Z
over the entire range; in every particular. 1998 Salmon, Trout & Sea-Trout In order to have seen Scotland's game fishing in its entirety, from A to Z, visiting 30 stretches of river and 350 lochs a year, you would have to be travelling for a hundred years.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
from A to ˈZ
very thoroughly and in detail: We need an expert who knows the subject from A to Z.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
from A to Z
mod. of a complete and wide variety. (see also everything from A to Z.) We have just about everything from A to Z.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
from A to Z
Completely; thoroughly.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
alpha and omega, the
The sum of something, the beginning and the end, symbolized by the first (alpha) and last (omega) letters of the Greek alphabet. The Book of Revelation (1:8) states: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord.” The modern equivalent is a to z. See also from soup to nuts.
See also: alpha, and
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- alpha
- alpha and omega
- omega
- fill or kill
- FOK
- read (something) cover to cover
- the whole jimbang
- the whole jingbang
- all of
- all of something