first and last
The idiom "first and last" emphasizes the most crucial or fundamental aspect of a situation, person, or characteristic.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)Highlighting the most important or fundamental aspect of something.
Example
- Don was, first and last, a good friend.
- This is, first and last, a matter of national security.
B2General
(idiomatic)Describing something that occurs throughout the entire duration of an event or process.
Example
- She was an artist first and last, always devoted to her craft.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "first and last":
double firstone and onlyat lastlast wordalpha and omegafirst best