Definition

Noun: 1. An important, powerful, or influential person: This term is a metaphor comparing a significant person to a large, dominant fish in a body of water. It is often used in contexts like business, politics, or crime to denote someone with substantial authority or status.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the corporate world, he is considered a big fish.
  • The investigation aimed to catch the big fish behind the smuggling ring, not just the low-level operatives.
  • She moved to the city to become a big fish in the finance industry.

Advanced Usage

• "A big fish in a small pond": This idiom describes a person who is important or influential only within a limited, small-scale environment or community. The implication is that their status might not be as significant in a larger, more competitive setting.
  • He was a big fish in a small pond at his local firm, but he struggled to stand out at the multinational headquarters.

Variants and Related Words

• Big shot (noun, informal): A synonym for an important or influential person.
• Bigwig (noun, informal): Another synonym for a person of great importance or high rank.
• Big cheese (noun, informal, somewhat dated): A humorous or informal term for an important person.
• Small fry (noun, informal): The opposite term, referring to people or things of little importance or influence.

Synonyms

• VIP
• Notable
• Magnate
• Mogul
• Heavyweight

Related Idioms

• "There are plenty of other fish in the sea": This is a different, common idiom used primarily to console someone after a failed romantic relationship, suggesting there are many other potential partners available. It does not use the specific term "big fish" but shares the aquatic metaphor.
  • I know you're sad about the breakup, but remember, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.

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