Idioms for importance—expressions that help us emphasize the significance of people, things, or situations in unique and imaginative ways.
These idioms not only make our language more interesting but also provide vivid insights into the importance of various aspects of life. Let’s dive into this list of idioms and discover their meanings and usage.
Something important is like the cornerstone of a grand building, providing the strength and stability upon which everything else relies. For more comparisons to describe something as important, you can check this link: Similes for important. And for a variety of metaphors related to importance, you can explore this link: Metaphors for important.
What is an Idiom for Importance?
Idioms for importance are expressions that convey the idea of something or someone being significant or valuable in a distinct and imaginative manner.
These idioms allow us to emphasize the importance of various aspects of life, from individuals to events and qualities. Let’s delve into each idiom:
| Idiom | Meaning | In a Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| A Big Deal | Something of great importance or significance. | Graduating from college was a big deal for her, as it marked years of hard work paying off. |
| A Matter of Life and Death | An extremely serious or crucial situation, often involving life-or-death consequences. | When he called 911, he knew it was a matter of life and death, and he needed immediate help. |
| The Bee’s Knees | Something outstanding, excellent, or of high quality. | Her homemade apple pie is the bee’s knees; everyone at the party loves it. |
| The Cat’s Pajamas | Something highly impressive, often used humorously or sarcastically. | He thinks his new sports car is the cat’s pajamas, but it’s just another fancy car to me. |
| The Cream of the Crop | The best of a group, the highest quality. | Among all the candidates, she was the cream of the crop and got the job. |
| Top Dog | The person or entity in a dominant or leading position. | In the world of technology, that company is the top dog; they lead the industry. |
| The Crème de la Crème | The absolute best or finest, often used to describe high-quality products or services. | The restaurant’s crème de la crème dish is the chef’s special three-course meal. |
| The Apple of One’s Eye | Someone who is cherished or loved above all others. | To her, her daughter was the apple of her eye, and she always put her needs first. |
| The Toast of the Town | Someone or something that is widely celebrated and popular in a community or place. | After winning the championship, he became the toast of the town, with everyone congratulating him. |
| The Icing on the Cake | Something that makes a good situation even better, an additional benefit. | Winning the lottery was great, and getting a new job was the icing on the cake. |
| The Key to Success | The crucial factor or action that leads to achieving success. | Good communication is often the key to success in building strong relationships. |
| The Name of the Game | The essential aspect or strategy required for success in a particular situation or activity. | In the world of business, adaptability is the name of the game; those who can change with the times succeed. |
| The Heart and Soul | The most vital and important part of something. | Her dedication and hard work are the heart and soul of the company’s success. |
| The Be-All and End-All | Something that is considered the ultimate or final solution or goal. | To him, winning the championship was the be-all and end-all of his sports career. |
| The Center of Attention | The person or thing that is the focus of everyone’s interest and attention. | At the party, the birthday girl was the center of attention as everyone gathered around to sing and celebrate. |
| The Driving Force | The factor or person that motivates or pushes something forward. | Innovation has always been the driving force behind technological advancements. |
| The Linchpin | The essential or irreplaceable element that holds something together or makes it work. | The captain was the linchpin of the team, and their performance suffered without his leadership. |
| The Backbone | The main support or foundation of something. | Education is the backbone of a strong and prosperous society. |
| The Lifeblood | The essential and most important factor that sustains or supports something. | The dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of the charity organization; without them, it couldn’t function. |
| The Crown Jewel | The most valuable or prestigious possession or asset. | The historic library was considered the crown jewel of the city’s cultural heritage. |
| The Top Brass | The highest-ranking or most important people in an organization or group. | The top brass of the company gathered to discuss the future direction of the business. |
| The Golden Ticket | An opportunity or advantage that is highly desirable and can lead to great success. | Winning the scholarship was her golden ticket to pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. |
| The Main Squeeze | Someone’s romantic partner or significant other. | He introduced his main squeeze to his friends at the party, and they all got along well. |
| The Powerhouse | An organization or entity known for its significant influence, strength, or capabilities. | The company’s reputation as a powerhouse in the industry attracted top talent from around the world. |
| The Heavy Hitter | A person or entity with great influence, importance, or impact. | In the world of politics, she was known as a heavy hitter who could sway public opinion. |
| The Bigwig | A person who holds a high-ranking or influential position, often in an organization or government. | The bigwig from the government attended the international summit to discuss trade agreements. |
| The Kingpin | The most important or influential person in a particular group or organization. | He was the kingpin of the underground music scene, organizing the most significant events. |
Idioms for Importance
1. A Big Deal
Meaning: Something of great importance or significance.
In a Sentence: Graduating from college was a big deal for her, as it marked years of hard work paying off.
2. A Matter of Life and Death
Meaning: An extremely serious or crucial situation, often involving life-or-death consequences.
In a Sentence: When he called 911, he knew it was a matter of life and death, and he needed immediate help.
3. The Bee’s Knees
Meaning: Something outstanding, excellent, or of high quality.
In a Sentence: Her homemade apple pie is the bee’s knees; everyone at the party loves it.
4. The Cat’s Pajamas
Meaning: Something highly impressive, often used humorously or sarcastically.
In a Sentence: He thinks his new sports car is the cat’s pajamas, but it’s just another fancy car to me.
5. The Cream of the Crop
Meaning: The best of a group, the highest quality.
In a Sentence: Among all the candidates, she was the cream of the crop and got the job.
6. Top Dog
Meaning: The person or entity in a dominant or leading position.
In a Sentence: In the world of technology, that company is the top dog; they lead the industry.
7. The Crème de la Crème
Meaning: The absolute best or finest, often used to describe high-quality products or services.
In a Sentence: The restaurant’s crème de la crème dish is the chef’s special three-course meal.
8. The Apple of One’s Eye
Meaning: Someone who is cherished or loved above all others.
In a Sentence: To her, her daughter was the apple of her eye, and she always put her needs first.
9. The Toast of the Town
Meaning: Someone or something that is widely celebrated and popular in a community or place.
In a Sentence: After winning the championship, he became the toast of the town, with everyone congratulating him.
10. The Icing on the Cake
Meaning: Something that makes a good situation even better, an additional benefit.
In a Sentence: Winning the lottery was great, and getting a new job was the icing on the cake.
11. The Key to Success
Meaning: The crucial factor or action that leads to achieving success.
In a Sentence: Good communication is often the key to success in building strong relationships.
12. The Name of the Game
Meaning: The essential aspect or strategy required for success in a particular situation or activity.
In a Sentence: In the world of business, adaptability is the name of the game; those who can change with the times succeed.
13. The Heart and Soul
Meaning: The most vital and important part of something.
In a Sentence: Her dedication and hard work are the heart and soul of the company’s success.
14. The Be-All and End-All
Meaning: Something that is considered the ultimate or final solution or goal.
In a Sentence: To him, winning the championship was the be-all and end-all of his sports career.
15. The Center of Attention
Meaning: The person or thing that is the focus of everyone’s interest and attention.
In a Sentence: At the party, the birthday girl was the center of attention as everyone gathered around to sing and celebrate.
16. The Driving Force
Meaning: The factor or person that motivates or pushes something forward.
In a Sentence: Innovation has always been the driving force behind technological advancements.
17. The Linchpin
Meaning: The essential or irreplaceable element that holds something together or makes it work.
In a Sentence: The captain was the linchpin of the team, and their performance suffered without his leadership.
18. The Backbone
Meaning: The main support or foundation of something.
In a Sentence: Education is the backbone of a strong and prosperous society.
19. The Lifeblood
Meaning: The essential and most important factor that sustains or supports something.
In a Sentence: The dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of the charity organization; without them, it couldn’t function.
20. The Crown Jewel
Meaning: The most valuable or prestigious possession or asset.
In a Sentence: The historic library was considered the crown jewel of the city’s cultural heritage.
21. The Top Brass
Meaning: The highest-ranking or most important people in an organization or group.
In a Sentence: The top brass of the company gathered to discuss the future direction of the business.
22. The Golden Ticket
Meaning: An opportunity or advantage that is highly desirable and can lead to great success.
In a Sentence: Winning the scholarship was her golden ticket to pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.
23. The Main Squeeze
Meaning: Someone’s romantic partner or significant other.
In a Sentence: He introduced his main squeeze to his friends at the party, and they all got along well.
24. The Powerhouse
Meaning: An organization or entity known for its significant influence, strength, or capabilities.
In a Sentence: The company’s reputation as a powerhouse in the industry attracted top talent from around the world.
25. The Heavy Hitter
Meaning: A person or entity with great influence, importance, or impact.
In a Sentence: In the world of politics, she was known as a heavy hitter who could sway public opinion.
26. The Bigwig
Meaning: A person who holds a high-ranking or influential position, often in an organization or government.
In a Sentence: The bigwig from the government attended the international summit to discuss trade agreements.
27. The Kingpin
Meaning: The most important or influential person in a particular group or organization.
In a Sentence: He was the kingpin of the underground music scene, organizing the most significant events.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Here are 10 quizzes based on the idioms for importance mentioned in the article:
Quiz 1: “A Big Deal”
- What does the idiom “A Big Deal” mean?
a) Something insignificant
b) Something of great importance or significance
c) Something ordinary - Can you use “A Big Deal” in a sentence?
Quiz 2: “The Cream of the Crop”
- What does the idiom “The Cream of the Crop” mean?
a) Something of low quality
b) The best of a group, the highest quality
c) Something average - Can you use “The Cream of the Crop” in a sentence?
Quiz 3: “The Cat’s Pajamas”
- What does the idiom “The Cat’s Pajamas” mean?
a) Something highly impressive
b) Something that is ordinary
c) Something that is disliked by many - Can you use “The Cat’s Pajamas” in a sentence?
Quiz 4: “The Golden Ticket”
- What does the idiom “The Golden Ticket” mean?
a) An opportunity or advantage that is highly desirable and can lead to great success
b) An opportunity that is of no value
c) An opportunity that is easy to obtain - Can you use “The Golden Ticket” in a sentence?
Quiz 5: “The Key to Success”
- What does the idiom “The Key to Success” mean?
a) A locked door
b) The crucial factor or action that leads to achieving success
c) An insignificant detail - Can you use “The Key to Success” in a sentence?
Quiz 6: “The Heart and Soul”
- What does the idiom “The Heart and Soul” mean?
a) The physical organs responsible for pumping blood
b) The most vital and important part of something
c) The least important part of something - Can you use “The Heart and Soul” in a sentence?
Quiz 7: “The Crown Jewel”
- What does the idiom “The Crown Jewel” mean?
a) A type of jewelry worn on the head
b) The most valuable or prestigious possession or asset
c) An ordinary possession - Can you use “The Crown Jewel” in a sentence?
Quiz 8: “The Main Squeeze”
- What does the idiom “The Main Squeeze” mean?
a) A fruit that is commonly used in recipes
b) Someone’s romantic partner or significant other
c) An ordinary acquaintance - Can you use “The Main Squeeze” in a sentence?
Quiz 9: “Top Dog”
- What does the idiom “Top Dog” mean?
a) A highly trained canine
b) The person or entity in a dominant or leading position
c) An unimportant person - Can you use “Top Dog” in a sentence?
Quiz 10: “The Driving Force”
- What does the idiom “The Driving Force” mean?
a) A vehicle’s engine
b) The factor or person that motivates or pushes something forward
c) A passive element in a situation - Can you use “The Driving Force” in a sentence?
Feel free to test your knowledge of these idioms for importance with these quizzes!
Conclusion
These idioms for importance add depth and character to our language, allowing us to express the significance of people, things, or situations in a more creative and vivid manner.
Whether it’s describing someone as the “cream of the crop” or considering an opportunity the “golden ticket,” these expressions provide unique insights into the value we place on various aspects of life.
