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

"In my eyes, I feel like it's a big deal not just for the city, but for the country to have such a global icon come here."

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

I know some of you are thinking: What’s the big deal?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

By itself, a big increase in import prices might not be a big deal — they rise and fall by large amounts quite often.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Sienna, though, didn’t want to make a big deal of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Ziegler didn’t think it sounded like a big deal.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin