Meaning & use
ultimate test
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The hardest or most important situation that shows how good, strong, or true something really is.
Grammar: Usually used as 'the ultimate test of something'; the 'of' phrase says what is being tested.
Patterns
- the ultimate test of something
- be the ultimate test for someone
- face the ultimate test
The final match will be the ultimate test of her skill under pressure.
For many drivers, heavy snow is the ultimate test of a car's safety.
The long journey became the ultimate test of their friendship.
phrasefixed phrase
The last and most difficult examination or trial that decides whether someone succeeds.
Grammar: Used with 'the' and often followed by 'for someone' to name the person being tested.
Patterns
- the ultimate test for someone
- pass the ultimate test
- fail the ultimate test
The oral exam is the ultimate test for medical students.
Only a few soldiers pass this ultimate test of endurance.
She treated the interview as the ultimate test of her training.
Common combinations
- the ultimate test of
- The crisis was the ultimate test of the team's leadership.
- face the ultimate test
- Next month the young pilot will face the ultimate test.
- pass the ultimate test
- He passed the ultimate test and earned his license.
- the ultimate test for
- This race is the ultimate test for any long-distance runner.
- prove to be the ultimate test
- The storm proved to be the ultimate test of the new bridge.
Synonyms and how they differ
- acid test
- Also means a decisive test, but it stresses proving whether something is genuine or works, while 'ultimate test' stresses that it is the hardest or final one.
- litmus test
- Often used for a single clear sign that shows an attitude or quality; 'ultimate test' is broader and more dramatic.
- final exam
- Only for school or university tests; 'ultimate test' is mostly figurative and can describe any hard situation.
Commonly confused: ultimate test or ultimate dream?
ultimate test vs ultimate dream
This means the thing you most want in life, not a hard test. 'Winning an Olympic medal is her ultimate dream' is about a wish, not a challenge.
Practice
The mountain climb was the ultimate test ___ their teamwork.
Choose one answer.
'The ultimate test of something' is the standard phrase when you name the quality being tested. 'For' would introduce the people being tested (the ultimate test for them), 'to' and 'in' do not fit this fixed pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ultimate test”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.