Definition

Noun: 1. An important, powerful, or influential person: The term "big cheese" is an informal, often slightly humorous idiom referring to a person who holds a high position, has significant authority, or is a major figure in a particular field or organization.

Usage and Examples

The term is used informally to describe someone of importance. It can be used neutrally, humorously, or sometimes with mild sarcasm. * After the merger, she became the big cheese in the entire marketing department. * Don't be nervous about the meeting; the big cheese is actually very friendly. * He walks around the office like he's the big cheese, but he only manages two people.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The term often implies a level of self-importance or pomposity in the person being described. It is less formal and carries a different tone than synonyms like "executive" or "leader."
• It can be used in a slightly mocking way to downplay someone's perceived self-importance.
  • Who does he think he is, the big cheese?

Variants and Related Words

• Bigwig (noun): Another informal term for a very important person.
• Big shot (noun): A synonym with a very similar meaning and informal register.
• Big fish (noun): An idiom with an identical meaning (e.g., "a big fish in a small pond").
• Big kahuna (noun): A more humorous and slang variant.
• Top banana (noun): A slang term for the leader or most important person in a group.

Synonyms

• VIP
• Bigwig
• Big shot
• Big fish
• Head honcho
• Leader
• Boss
• Executive

Related Idioms

• Big fish in a small pond: An important person, but only within a limited or unimportant sphere.
  • He was a big fish in a small pond at his old company, but here he's just another manager.
• The cheese stands alone: An idiom (from a children's song) meaning someone is isolated or without allies, often because of their actions or position. This plays on the word "cheese" but has a different meaning.

Noun

1. an important influential person
   • he thinks he's a big shot
   • she's a big deal in local politics
   • the Qaeda commander is a very big fish