the/a (something) to end all (somethings)

the/a (something) to end all (somethings)

That which outclasses or is more impressive than anything else of its kind could ever hope to be. Many people still believe that, from a technical filmmaking perspective, Citizen Kane is the film to end all films. I remember when we all thought this impressive machine was the computer to end all computers. Now it seems positively archaic compared to the devices we all use today.See also: all, end

a — to end all —s

something so impressive of its kind that nothing that follows will have the same impact. informal The First World War was often referred to as the war to end all wars , from the mistaken belief that it would make all subsequent wars unnecessary. 1971 Bessie Head Maru It was a wedding to end all weddings. See also: all, end

the something to end all sths

used to emphasize how large, important, exciting, etc. you think something is: The movie has a car chase to end all car chases. ♢ Many people said that World War I would be the war to end all wars.See also: all, end, something, sths