big enchilada
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The most important or influential person in a group or organization: This term is an informal, often humorous, way to refer to the person with the highest authority, the top boss, or the central figure in a particular situation.
Usage
This is a slang idiom. It is used informally, often in business, organizational, or political contexts to emphasize someone's supreme importance in a hierarchy. It can carry a tone of respect, awe, or sometimes mild sarcasm.
Examples
- Noun:
- You'll need approval from the big enchilada before we can proceed with the merger.
- Don't bother talking to the managers; I want to speak directly to the big enchilada.
- In this company, the CEO isn't just the boss; she's the big enchilada.
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a singular, ultimate authority figure within a defined context (e.g., a company, a project, a criminal organization).
- It is frequently used with the definite article "the" (e.g., big enchilada).
Variants and Related Words
- Big cheese (n.): Another informal term for an important person.
- He's the big cheese in the marketing department.
- Bigwig (n.): An important person, especially one with a high rank.
- All the bigwigs from headquarters are visiting today.
- Head honcho (n.): The person in charge; the leader.
- You'll have to ask the head honcho for permission.
Synonyms
- Top dog: The most important person in a group.
- Kingpin: The most important person in an organization or activity (can have a negative connotation).
- Big shot: An important and influential person.
- Big deal: A very important person (informal).
- Big fish: An important person in a particular sphere.
Related Idioms
- The whole enchilada: This related idiom means "everything," "the entire thing," or "all of it." While "big enchilada" refers to the most important , "the whole enchilada" refers to the complete or .
- He didn't just want a share of the profits; he wanted the whole enchilada.
Noun
- 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