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. 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

That’s a big deal in an economy that relies on consumer spending for the lion’s share of its growth.

From Barron's

From week to week, I try not to make a big deal of the fact that most SUVs and crossovers, regardless of pedigree, are overweight, top heavy, undersprung and generally clumsy afoot.

From The Wall Street Journal

A daily alpha of negative 33 basis points may not seem like such a big deal, but it is.

From MarketWatch

It was no big deal, and they laughed about it later, Redick insisted Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

‘I don’t know. Bubbe always made such a big deal of us not being allowed in the attic. I suppose I thought there’d be something really exciting hidden up here.’

From Literature