big deal

[big deel]

noun

1. an important or impressive person or thing.

   to make a big deal out of nothing;

   I hear he's a big deal on Wall Street now.

2. (used ironically as an interjection to indicate that one considers something to be unimportant or unimpressive).

   So you're the mayor's cousin—big deal!

big deal

interjection

1. slang,  an exclamation of scorn, derision, etc, used esp to belittle a claim or offer

Word History and Origins

Origin of big deal¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. (it’s) no big deal. no big deal

A matter of great interest or importance, as in Performing in Symphony Hall is a big deal for everyone in the chorus . [c. 1940] Also see under make a federal case out of .

So what? Who cares? For example, So you got the job after all—well, big deal! This use of the phrase as an ironic interjection dates from approximately the same time.

Example Sentences

Although neither of the new models is as cheap as some investors had once anticipated, shaving a few thousand dollars off some of the world’s best-selling cars can be a big deal.

Read more on MarketWatch

Although neither of the new models is as cheap as some investors had once anticipated, shaving a few thousand dollars off some of the world’s best-selling cars can be a big deal.

Read more on MarketWatch

"It's a big deal to have a hawk on your fist, it's like holding a leopard or something! And the honesty with which she portrays the whole thing is just magnificent."

Read more on Barron's

Monday’s announcement also comes after OpenAI has made big deals with other technology companies in the past month or so.

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That might not sound like a big deal: oxygen is everywhere around us!

Read more on Space Scoop