big brother

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Thân thiện

A boy looks up to his big brother as they build a model airplane together.

Definition

Noun:
- An older brother: A male sibling who is older than another sibling.
- An authoritarian leader and invader of privacy: A person, organization, or government that exercises total control and surveillance over people, often in a secretive or oppressive way. This meaning originates from George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Usage

The term "big brother" is used in two distinct contexts: a literal, familial context and a metaphorical, socio-political context.
When capitalized as "Big Brother," it almost always refers to the oppressive, surveilling authority.

Examples

Literal meaning (older brother):
- My big brother taught me how to ride a bike.
- She always looked up to her big brother for advice.
Metaphorical meaning (authoritarian figure):
- Citizens feared that the new surveillance laws would create a big brother state.
- In the novel, Big Brother is always watching you.

Advanced Usage

"Big Brother is watching you": A famous phrase from Orwell's , used to describe a state of constant surveillance and loss of personal freedom.
- With cameras on every corner, it feels like Big Brother is watching you.
Used to critique modern technology and data collection practices.
- Many people are concerned about big brother tactics used by some social media companies.

Variants and Related Words

Big Brotherish (adjective): Characteristic of an oppressive, surveilling authority.
- The new policies were criticized as being overly big brotherish.
Sibling: A brother or sister.
Surveillance: The close observation of a person or group.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Idioms and Phrases

To play big brother: To act in an overly protective or controlling manner towards someone.
- He's not your father; he shouldn't try to play big brother and tell you what to do.

A boy looks up to his big brother as they build a model airplane together.

Noun

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