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Synonyms

big shot

American  

noun

Informal.

  1. an important or influential person.

big shot British  

noun

  1. informal an important or influential person

"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
big shot Idioms  

  1. see under big cheese.

Etymology

Origin of big shot

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Later in the chat, a Binance VIP client manager said: “Karry the big shot, haha. Boss Rock has mentioned you before.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

On “Father Figure,” Swift sings about a big shot taking a “protégé” under their wing—and demanding total loyalty in return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

"Not a big shot or having high thoughts of himself. He was back in training and being the same kid."

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

“Preparing to take the big shot for the Bruins, No. 12, Sebastian Mack!”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2025

The bad blood isn’t because Manny is a big shot.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.