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

Example Sentences

“I thought it was a big deal that I had Indian blood,” says Sarris.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

But it is still a big deal: Reeves has not only been chancellor for two years but spent years in opposition fashioning Labour's economic approach.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

It wasn’t a big deal because the bus started boarding at 10:49.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

And yeah, the Dead Kennedys were a big deal in my late teens.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

I said, thinking about what Tess had said about how roaming the mountain at night wasn’t a big deal.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin