Definition

Noun: - Large-scale commercial enterprise: Refers to major corporations or industries that operate on a very large scale, with significant financial power and influence. - Economic and political influence: Often implies that the scale of these enterprises gives them substantial power to affect social, economic, and political policies.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The new environmental legislation was heavily lobbied against by big business. (The major corporations used their influence to oppose the new law.)
  • In that country, big business often has a direct line to government policymakers. (Large commercial enterprises there frequently have privileged access to political decision-makers.)
  • The report analyzed the power of big business in the global economy. (The study examined the influence of large-scale commercial enterprises.)

Advanced Usage

• "the world of big business": Refers to the sphere, culture, or environment dominated by large corporations.
  • He moved from academia into the competitive world of big business.
• Used as a singular collective noun, though it refers to multiple entities.
  • Big business was not in favor of the proposed tax reforms.

Variants and Related Words

• Big Businessman/Businesswoman (n): A high-ranking executive or owner in a major corporation. (Note: This is a related compound term, not the target phrase itself).
  • She was a shrewd businesswoman who navigated the world of big business.

Synonyms

• Corporate giant(s): Very large and powerful corporations.
• Major industry: A large and important sector of commercial activity.
• The corporate sector: The part of the economy consisting of companies and corporations.

Related Phrases

• Big business interests: The specific concerns or financial stakes of large corporations.
  • The policy was shaped by big business interests.

Related Idioms

• To be in bed with big business: To have an inappropriately close or corrupt relationship with large corporations (often used in political contexts).
  • Critics accused the minister of being in bed with big business.

Noun

1. commercial enterprises organized and financed on a scale large enough to influence social and political policies
   • big business is growing so powerful it is difficult to regulate it effectively