big deal

American  

[big deel] / ˈbɪg ˈdil /

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!

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idioms

1. (it’s) no big deal. see no big deal

big deal British  

interjection

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

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big deal More Idioms  

1. 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 .

2. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of big deal

First recorded in 1945–50

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

big deal

A successful IPO would also likely be a big deal for Alphabet and Amazon, which have sizable stakes in the company.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

Every Budget is a big deal, goes the argument run past me by some.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

Akamai stock is upgraded to a bullish buy rating after shares tumbled last week on fears about the company’s big deal with Anthropic..

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

Some rain is not a big deal but flooding would shut down work for safety reasons.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

I lift my shoulder, try to pretend it’s not a big deal even though it is, because the truth is, I don’t even know.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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