holy grail
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The Holy Grail: In medieval legend, the cup or dish used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, later sought by knights for its miraculous powers. It is the ultimate object of a difficult quest.
- An ultimate, highly desired goal or object that is very difficult or impossible to achieve: A metaphorical extension of the legendary quest, referring to something of supreme value or importance that is pursued with great effort.
Usage Examples
Noun (Legendary Object):
- The knights of King Arthur's court embarked on a quest to find the Holy Grail.
- Legends say the Holy Grail possesses the power to heal and grant eternal life.
Noun (Metaphorical Goal):
- For many scientists, finding a cure for cancer is the holy grail of medical research.
- In the tech industry, creating a true artificial general intelligence is considered the holy grail.
Advanced Usage
"The search for the holy grail": A phrase describing a long, difficult, and often idealistic pursuit.
- Their search for the perfect coffee blend became a sort of holy grail quest.
"A holy grail of [field/endeavor]": Used to specify the ultimate goal within a particular area.
- This discovery is a holy grail of renewable energy technology.
Variants and Related Words
- Grail (n): A shortened, often capitalized form ("the Grail") with the same meanings.
- He dedicated his life to the search for the Grail.
Synonyms
- Ultimate prize: The final and most valuable reward.
- Pinnacle: The highest point of achievement.
- Elusive goal: A desired objective that is hard to attain.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Quest for the Holy Grail: Directly references the legendary story to describe any extremely challenging and important pursuit.
- The company's quest for the holy grail of battery technology finally paid off.
Noun
- (legend) chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper