big kahuna

American  

[big kuh-hoo-nuh] / ˈbɪg kəˈhu nə /

noun

Slang.

1. the most important or dominant person or thing: Their scholarship program is the industry’s big kahuna.

   He’s the big kahuna of a large travel agency.

   Their scholarship program is the industry’s big kahuna.

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Etymology

Origin of big kahuna

First recorded in 1955–60; see origin at big ¹ ( def. ), kahuna ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

big kahuna

But the big kahuna of consumer deflation is electronics.

From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2024

Both sit in the shadow of the streaming service’s big kahuna, this hit about F1 drivers entering its fifth season.

From New York Times ● Feb. 18, 2023

Still, there were others: The heart-tugging “CODA” had a great night, winning best supporting actor, best adapted screenplay and the big kahuna, best picture, ending the ceremony on an ebullient note.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 28, 2022

The Rebate Project, though, is the big kahuna.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2021

Golf's upper echelon is lush with firepower and a compelling argument can be made for a number of players as the current big kahuna.

From Golf Digest ● Nov. 6, 2018

Related Words

• bigwig
• dignitary
• heavyweight
• mogul