big enchilada

American  

Sometimes top enchilada

noun

Slang.

1. someone regarded as the most important, influential, or dominant person in an organization.

   The police are hoping to catch the syndicate's big enchilada in the next raid.

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big enchilada Idioms  

1. see under big cheese.

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Etymology

Origin of big enchilada

First recorded in 1970–75; on the pattern of such expressions as big cheese, big wheel, etc.

Example Sentences

He’s been dogged by the notion that he’s somehow too young for the big enchilada.

From Los Angeles Times

All we are sure of at this point is that Donald Trump is very likely on the cusp of another federal indictment and this one is the big enchilada.

From Salon

Mr. DeSantis, appearing on Fox News on Thursday, said Mr. Trump was “the big enchilada” on political endorsements when he was president.

From Washington Times

The big enchilada, of course, will be the inevitable impeachment of President Biden.

From Salon

This is “the big enchilada” of the legislative package, is how a friendly Republican lawmaker put it.

From Seattle Times