big house

American  

[big hous] / ˈbɪg ˌhaʊs /

noun

Slang.

1. Usually the big house a penitentiary.

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Etymology

Origin of big house

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

“We are to have this camp in Germany instead, Betsie? Instead of the big house in Holland?”

From Literature

The singer and her family moved into the “big house” when Lambert was 14—and she lived there until the age of 21, when she moved into the adjacent “pink house,” which she purchased with the money she received from her very first major deal.

From MarketWatch

"He's on his own, rattling around in his big house with all these demons and ghosts, and the consequences of his deeds come rushing back in."

From BBC

I saw Cunningham’s big house now, with its huge stone wall, and farther down was Devlin’s.

From Literature

A man on a horse was riding toward the big house.

From Literature