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

I suggested that if we put the food on a big wheel that could spin around, everybody could just take what they wanted without having to reach across the table.

From Literature

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

It’s shiny silver and resembles an RV—has a door and wide windows on the sides—but it also has a smokestack and big wheels with pistons like a locomotive.

From Literature

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

Sajak will not be its hub forever, but the whole point of the big wheel is to spin and spin and spin while staying in place.

From New York Times