holy grail
Holy grail (noun) means something that is searched for with great determination because it would be the perfect solution or the ultimate prize, and that is usually very hard or impossible to find. Example: “A cheap, long-lasting battery is the holy grail of electric cars.”
How to use holy grail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe perfect thing everyone is trying to find.
Neutral and very common in journalism, marketing and reviews; slightly overused.
Follow it with of plus a field: the holy grail of physics, the holy grail of hair care.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A cheap, long-lasting battery is the _____ of electric cars.
Etymology
Grail comes from Old French graal, meaning a dish or bowl, used in medieval romance for the sacred vessel sought by King Arthur's knights.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for holy grail
See all rhymes for holy grail →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to call something the holy grail?
It means the thing is the best possible version of what people are looking for, and that finding it has proved very difficult. The phrase implies a long search as much as a high standard.
Is the Holy Grail a cup or a dish?
Medieval sources disagree. Early French romance describes a serving dish, while later tradition settles on the cup used at the Last Supper, which is the version most people picture today.
Should holy grail be capitalised?
Capitalise Holy Grail when you mean the legendary object. Use lower case for the everyday figurative sense, as in the holy grail of skincare.
What is the meaning of holy grail?
"holy grail" (noun) means something that is searched for with great determination because it would be the perfect solution or the ultimate prize, and that is usually very hard or impossible to find.