big house

[ big hous ]

noun

, Slang.

1. Usually the big house. a penitentiary.

Word History and Origins

Origin of big house¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

It took her almost 70 years to escape the big house, and, as the events of this weekend appear to confirm, Queen Elizabeth has no intention of ever returning to her “official home” of Buckingham Palace.

From The Daily Beast

We are encouraged to have relationships with corporate executives and boardrooms and money and big houses and fast cars.

From Time

She video-chatted with her youngest son, Isaiah, and marveled at the big house he shared with his brother.

From ProPublica

“We thought, well, we have a big house,” said Roslyn Zinner, a social worker at a private psychotherapy practice.

From Washington Post

If you still want a cordless but have a big house, look for one with a removable battery as it means you can buy a spare and switch over halfway, doubling your run time.

From Popular-Science

In time they moved into a big house near New York, which they called Cherry Orchard.

From The Daily Beast

Ahead of entering the Big House in Fort Worth, Texas, he told the press: “I will be a model prisoner as I was a model citizen.”

From The Daily Beast

They are believed to have been staying in the big house while renovations are undertaken.

From The Daily Beast

Just a bunch of us crashing in a big house and making a film in Katrina water.

From The Daily Beast

Some value a big house and yard, while others cannot abide a city without a decent opera or good Thai food.

From The Daily Beast

"Very well, then," and she found a seat where they were hidden by vines and the shade of the big house.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely there was going to be a party at the big house, or she would not be dressed so finely.

From Project Gutenberg

Diaz, the dead pigeon, and this guy McSweeney take it on the lam from the big house.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, her father established Peggy in a big house in St. James's—huge retinue of servants and so forth.

From Project Gutenberg

Just let the people up at the big house catch you pokin' around, and back you'll come faster'n ever you went.

From Project Gutenberg