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

See Examples For:

big deal

It says an apparent deal for the duchess to star in Netflix series The Gentlemen is worth £1m but the "big deal could be off".

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

For the Dodgers, no big deal: They had won the National League West, and the playoffs were four days away.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said: "There's not going to be a curfew. I don't think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest."

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

That’s why the July consumer-price index due out Wednesday is a big deal.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Mrs. Rouse said it wasn’t a big deal, Sage would be fine.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff