Definition

Noun: 1. An event, situation, or thing considered to be of great importance, significance, or consequence. 2. An important, influential, or powerful person.

Usage

The term "big deal" is used to describe something or someone considered exceptionally important. It can be used sincerely or, very commonly, ironically or sarcastically to downplay the significance of something.

Examples

• Sincere Usage:

  • Getting this promotion is a big deal for my career.
  • Signing the peace treaty was a big deal for both nations.
  • She's a big deal in the tech industry; everyone knows her work.

• Ironic/Sarcastic Usage:

  • So you finished your homework? Big deal. I finished mine hours ago.
  • He made a minor mistake and is acting like it's a big deal.

Advanced Usage

• "No big deal": A common phrase meaning something is not important or not a problem.

  • Don't worry about spilling the water; it's no big deal.
  • Losing that game was no big deal to the team.

• "Make a big deal out of something": To treat a situation with more importance or drama than it warrants.

  • It was just a small scratch on the car, but he made a big deal out of it.

Variants and Related Words

• Big shot (noun): An important or influential person. (Often used similarly to the second definition of "big deal").
• Big fish (noun): An important person in a particular sphere or organization. (As in the reference: "a very big fish").

Synonyms

• Major event, significant matter, important issue (for definition 1).
• VIP, bigwig, heavyweight, luminary (for definition 2).

Related Idioms

• "What's the big deal?": A rhetorical question asked to challenge why something is being treated as important.
  • You're only going to be five minutes late. What's the big deal?

Noun

1. anything of great importance or consequence
2. 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