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

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

Regardless, investors likely haven’t seen the last big deal, and that’s driven meaningful recent gains for stocks tied to nuclear energy.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

That was a big deal because it’s emotional.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

"It can become quite a big deal emotionally."

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

“This is a good idea. I’ve been alone for a while now… It’s not wrong to want a personal life. Why should this be a big deal? It’s not…” Dad says, answering his own question.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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