big wheel

American  

noun

Informal.

1. an influential or important person.

   a big wheel in business.

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big wheel British  

noun

1. another name for a Ferris wheel

2. informal an important person

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big wheel Idioms  

1. see under big cheese.

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Etymology

Origin of big wheel

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

On Friday, viewers will see him give the big wheel his final spin, capping one of the most impressive runs in television history — and the longest ever for a game show host.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2024

The leading men of the show traded their donkey and horse for a paletero cart and a big wheel bike with a horse skull attached.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2024

Visitors also enjoyed fairground rides, a big wheel, and live music from DJs performing in Molly's Bar on the festival site.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2022

Paramedics loaded the injured hiker into a big wheel stretcher and safely got him down the rest of the trail.

From Washington Times • Feb. 7, 2021

This was Ezekiel’s wheel, in the middle of the burning air forever—and the little wheel ran by faith, and the big wheel ran by the grace of God.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin