of the essence

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Word: "of the essence"

Definition: The phrase "of the essence" means something is extremely important or crucial. When something is said to be "of the essence," it indicates that it is vital for success or necessary to achieve a specific outcome.

Usage Instructions:

• This phrase is typically used in formal or serious contexts.
• It often refers to time-sensitive situations or important information.

Example:

• "In a medical emergency, getting help quickly is of the essence."
• "For this project, meeting the deadline is of the essence."

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter this phrase in legal or business documents, where time and accuracy are critical.
• It can also be used in discussions about important decisions or actions that need to be taken promptly.

Word Variants:

• Essence (noun): The most important quality or aspect of something.
  • Example: "The essence of teamwork is communication."

Different Meanings:

• While "of the essence" specifically refers to importance, "essence" on its own can refer to the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something.

Synonyms:

• Crucial
• Vital
• Essential
• Important
• Key

Related Idioms:

• "Time is of the essence" – This is a common phrase that emphasizes the importance of acting quickly.
  • Example: "In business negotiations, time is of the essence."

Phrasal Verbs:

• Although "of the essence" doesn’t have direct phrasal verb equivalents, you might use phrases like "to get to the point" or "to cut to the chase," which imply focusing on what is most important.

Summary:

In summary, "of the essence" is a powerful phrase that emphasizes the importance of something, especially in terms of time and urgency.

Academic

Adjective

1. of the greatest importance
   • the all-important subject of disarmament
   • crucial information
   • in chess cool nerves are of the essence

Synonyms

• all-important
• all important
• crucial
• essential
• of the essence