big deal

[ big-deel ]

/ ˈbɪg ˈdil /

Informal.

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noun

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.

(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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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about big deal

(it’s) no big deal. See entry at no big deal

Origin of big deal

First recorded in 1945–50

Words nearby big deal

big-cone pine, big crunch, Big D, big daddy, big data, big deal, Big Dipper, bigeminy, big enchilada, big end, bigender

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use big deal in a sentence

Teachers are a big deal, as are healthcare workers and service providers.
How Hallmark is handling pandemic Valentine’s Day|Luke Winkie|February 12, 2021|Vox
If this actually happens, it will be a big deal, helping to further legitimize virtual currencies and dramatically expand the market for their use.
Mastercard will support cryptocurrencies—but not the ones you think|Timothy B. Lee|February 11, 2021|Ars Technica
It’s not a big deal for small things, like recognizing images, but for larger problems it rapidly slows the whole process down, while increasing energy use.
This ‘Quantum Brain’ Would Mimic Our Own to Speed Up AI|Shelly Fan|February 9, 2021|Singularity Hub
These folks who tell us to move on, that it is not a big deal, that we should forget what’s happened, or even telling us to apologize — these are the same tactics of abusers.
In attacking Ocasio-Cortez, Tucker Carlson maxes out on hypocrisy|Erik Wemple|February 4, 2021|Washington Post

I was like, “Wow, OK, so this is like a big deal being a reality star,” because at that time, Carlos, a lot of people looked down on reality stars.
Cynthia Bailey on Modeling, Entrepreneurship and the ‘Real Housewife’ Life|Nick Fouriezos|February 4, 2021|Ozy
Koenig makes a big deal out of this call and frames it as a massive red herring.
The Scoop on ‘Serial’: Making Sense of The Nisha Call, Asia's Letters, and Our Obsession|Emily Shire|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Religious displays on public property used to be a big deal.
In Florida, ’Tis The Season for Satan|Jay Michaelson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Grizzlies lick them up by the thousands, and the media has made a big deal out of Yellowstone bears eating these bugs.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to Merritt, at the time of the killings they were thrilled about scoring a big deal in Saudi Arabia.
Family's Best Friend Charged With Murdering Them All|Nina Strochlic|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was never a big deal before, but when he first got back, certain toys would throw him into a rage.
When the War Comes Home|Sara Stewart|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I worked a big deal in futures for their father this morning; nice girls; it's time they were getting married.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
It was a big deal in oil which concerned the buying up of seventeen huge adjoining ranches.
Flappers and Philosophers|F. Scott Fitzgerald
Paul reached home a little early, tired and cross from a big deal that had hung fire for ten days.
Mountain|Clement Wood
Look at your watch again and curse the mucking hombre de negocios who's holding up your big deal.
The Five Arrows|Allan Chase
If it had be'n a big deal I wouldn't have be'n took in, that way.
Connie Morgan in the Lumber Camps|James B. Hendryx

British Dictionary definitions for big deal

big deal

interjection

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with big deal

big deal

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.

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.

big deal

Idioms about big deal

Origin of big deal

Words nearby big deal

Words related to big deal

How to use big deal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for big deal

Other Idioms and Phrases with big deal