【原】alpha and omega，阿尔法和欧米茄，一首一尾

阿尔法 α 是希腊字母表的第一个字母，欧米茄 Ω 是希腊字母表的最后一个字母，alpha and omega 字面意思“阿尔法和欧米茄”貌似没有任何的寓意，其实不然，可以意为“基本要素，最重要的部分，本质”等，它寓意：

both the beginning and the end

开始和结束

from the beginning to the end

从头到尾 

the essentials of something

某物的本质

the first and the last

第一个和最后一个

the most important part, the basic essentials

最重要的部分，基本要素

例如：

He had to learn the alpha and omega of the subject before he could even begin his research.

在他开始研究之前，他必须学习这个课题的基本要素。

He loved his wife very much and said the she was the alpha and omega of his life.

他非常爱他的妻子，并说她是他生命中最重要的部分。

When he took up the job of a mechanic at the factory, he had to learn the alpha and omega of the machines before he could start working on them.

当他在这家工厂当技工时，他必须先学会机器的基本要素，然后才能开始工作。

The alpha and omega of his political campaign was more benefits for the masses.

他的政治竞选活动的本质是给大众带来更多的好处。

Their lives revolved around their daughter. She was the alpha and omega of their lives.

他们的生活围绕着女儿。她是他们生活中最重要的人物。

My life starts from you and ends at you, so you are my alpha and omega.

我的生命从你开始，结束于你，所以你是我的最重要的部分。

He knew the alpha and omega of the subject and was considered to be the highest authority on it.

他知道这个学科的本质，且被认为是这方面的最高权威。

The strategy to control inflation remains the alpha and omega of the government's economic policy.

控制通货膨胀的策略仍然是政府经济政策的最重要的部分。

不得不说习语这种存在很特别，因为它不受具体的语法或语义框架限制，所以牢牢记住它们的比喻意义就足够了。