Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a unique meaning beyond the literal interpretation of their individual words.
Idioms are an essential part of language and culture, adding color and depth to our conversations. Let’s dive into the world of idioms for big and discover their meanings and usage.
Something big is like a towering mountain, casting a long shadow and dominating the landscape. For more comparisons to describe something as big, you can check this link: Similes for big. And for a variety of metaphors related to bigness, you can explore this link: Metaphors for big.
What is an idiom for big?
An idiom for big is a phrase or expression that uses the word “big” to convey a particular meaning that may not be immediately obvious.
These idioms are used in everyday language to describe various situations or characteristics.
Here, we’ll break down each idiom, provide its meaning, and use it in a sentence to help you understand how it’s used.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| A big fish in a small pond | Important or successful in a small environment or group | In his hometown, John was a big fish in a small pond, but he struggled in the big city. |
| A big shot | A powerful or influential person, often in a specific field | The CEO of the company is a big shot in the tech industry. |
| A big deal | Something important or significant | Winning the championship was a big deal for the team. |
| A bigwig | A highly important or prominent person, often in a specific area | The bigwig of the fashion industry attended the gala event. |
| A big cheese | A person of great importance or authority, typically in a formal | As the head of the department, Sarah has become a big cheese in the company’s management. |
| A big enchilada | A person who holds a high position or is of great importance | The president of the organization is considered the big enchilada when it comes to decision-making. |
| A big wheel | An influential or powerful person, often in business or politics | The mayor is a big wheel in local politics and has a significant impact on city policies. |
| A big hitter | Someone highly skilled or successful in their field | In the world of finance, she’s known as a big hitter, consistently making profitable investments. |
| A bigwig in the industry | A person holding a prominent position in a specific industry | Mark is a bigwig in the entertainment industry, with many successful movies under his belt. |
| A big gun | Someone with great influence or power, especially in a critical situation | When it comes to negotiating deals, Jane is the company’s big gun, and she always gets the best terms. |
| A big-league player | A person who competes at the highest level in their profession | After years of hard work, Sarah finally became a big-league player in the world of music. |
| A big-time spender | Someone who spends a significant amount of money extravagantly | James is a big-time spender, always buying luxury items and dining at expensive restaurants. |
| A big mouth | Someone who talks too much or reveals secrets unintentionally | Be careful what you tell Tom; he has a big mouth and can’t keep a secret. |
| A big talker | Someone who boasts or talks confidently about their abilities | He’s a big talker, but we’ll see if he can deliver on his promises. |
| A bigwig in politics | A person who holds a high-ranking position in the political arena | The senator is a bigwig in politics, having served for several terms and championed many important policies. |
| A big kahuna | An important or influential person, often in a relaxed context | In the world of surfing, Kelly Slater is the big kahuna, known for his legendary skills. |
| A big league | A situation or context that is highly competitive or prestigious | Getting accepted into that Ivy League university is a big league achievement for any student. |
| A bigwig in business | A person of great importance or influence in the business world | Richard is a bigwig in the business community, known for his successful ventures and investments. |
| A big-league event | An event or occasion of great significance or importance | The grand opening of the new museum is a big-league event that’s attracting visitors from all over the country. |
| A big-time celebrity | A widely recognized and influential celebrity | The Hollywood actor is a big-time celebrity, with millions of fans and blockbuster movies. |
| A big player | Someone who plays a significant role in a particular situation or industry | Sarah is a big player in the technology sector, leading groundbreaking research projects. |
| A big personality | Someone with a strong and distinctive character | The radio host is known for her big personality, making her show entertaining and engaging. |
| A big-time opportunity | An opportunity with the potential for great success or impact | Joining the international conference is a big-time opportunity for networking and collaboration. |
| A big shot in the arm | A boost or support that significantly improves a situation or project | The grant from the foundation was a big shot in the arm for the research team, allowing them to expand their work. |
| A big spender | Someone who spends money freely and extravagantly | Sarah is known as a big spender, always buying designer clothes and luxury vacations. |
| A big noise | Someone influential who makes a significant impact | The activist became a big noise in the community, leading successful campaigns for change. |
| A big league game | A highly competitive or prestigious game or competition | The championship match was a big league game, with top athletes competing for the title. |
Idioms for Big
1. A big fish in a small pond
Meaning: Someone who is important or successful in a small, limited environment or group.
In a Sentence: In his hometown, John was a big fish in a small pond, but he struggled to make a name for himself in the big city.
2. A big shot
Meaning: A powerful or influential person, often in a specific field or profession.
In a Sentence: The CEO of the company is a big shot in the tech industry and has made significant contributions to the field.
3. A big deal
Meaning: Something that is important or significant.
In a Sentence: Winning the championship was a big deal for the team and their loyal fans.
4. A bigwig
Meaning: A highly important or prominent person, often in a specific area of expertise.
In a Sentence: The bigwig of the fashion industry attended the gala event, drawing attention from all attendees.
5. A big cheese
Meaning: A person of great importance or authority, typically in a formal or professional setting.
In a Sentence: As the head of the department, Sarah has become a big cheese in the company’s management.
6. A big enchilada
Meaning: A person who holds a high position or is of great importance.
In a Sentence: The president of the organization is considered the big enchilada when it comes to decision-making.
7. A big wheel
Meaning: An influential or powerful person, often in business or politics.
In a Sentence: The mayor is a big wheel in local politics and has a significant impact on city policies.
8. A big hitter
Meaning: Someone who is highly skilled or successful in their field.
In a Sentence: In the world of finance, she’s known as a big hitter, consistently making profitable investments.
9. A bigwig in the industry
Meaning: A person who holds a prominent position in a specific industry or sector.
In a Sentence: Mark is a bigwig in the entertainment industry, with many successful movies under his belt.
10. A big gun
Meaning: Someone who has great influence or power, especially in a critical situation.
In a Sentence: When it comes to negotiating deals, Jane is the company’s big gun, and she always gets the best terms.
11. A big-league player
Meaning: A person who competes at the highest level in their profession or sport.
In a Sentence: After years of hard work, Sarah finally became a big-league player in the world of music.
12. A big-time spender
Meaning: Someone who spends a significant amount of money extravagantly.
In a Sentence: James is a big-time spender, always buying luxury items and dining at expensive restaurants.
13. A big mouth
Meaning: Someone who talks too much or reveals secrets unintentionally.
In a Sentence: Be careful what you tell Tom; he has a big mouth and can’t keep a secret.
14. A big talker
Meaning: Someone who boasts or talks confidently about their abilities or achievements.
In a Sentence: He’s a big talker, but we’ll see if he can deliver on his promises.
15. A bigwig in politics
Meaning: A person who holds a high-ranking position in the political arena.
In a Sentence: The senator is a bigwig in politics, having served for several terms and championed many important policies.
16. A big kahuna
Meaning: An important or influential person, often in a relaxed and informal context.
In a Sentence: In the world of surfing, Kelly Slater is the big kahuna, known for his legendary skills.
17. A big league
Meaning: A situation or context that is highly competitive or prestigious.
In a Sentence: Getting accepted into that Ivy League university is a big league achievement for any student.
18. A bigwig in business
Meaning: A person of great importance or influence in the business world.
In a Sentence: Richard is a bigwig in the business community, known for his successful ventures and investments.
19. A big-league event
Meaning: An event or occasion of great significance or importance.
In a Sentence: The grand opening of the new museum is a big-league event that’s attracting visitors from all over the country.
20. A big-time celebrity
Meaning: A celebrity who is widely recognized and influential.
In a Sentence: The Hollywood actor is a big-time celebrity, with millions of fans and blockbuster movies.
21. A big player
Meaning: Someone who plays a significant role in a particular situation or industry.
In a Sentence: Sarah is a big player in the technology sector, leading groundbreaking research projects.
22. A big personality
Meaning: Someone who has a strong and distinctive character, often with a charismatic presence.
In a Sentence: The radio host is known for her big personality, making her show entertaining and engaging.
23. A big-time opportunity
Meaning: An opportunity that has the potential for great success or impact.
In a Sentence: Joining the international conference is a big-time opportunity for networking and collaboration.
24. A big shot in the arm
Meaning: A boost or support that significantly improves a situation or project.
In a Sentence: The grant from the foundation was a big shot in the arm for the research team, allowing them to expand their work.
25. A big spender
Meaning: Someone who spends money freely and extravagantly.
In a Sentence: Sarah is known as a big spender, always buying designer clothes and luxury vacations.
26. A big noise
Meaning: Someone who is influential and makes a significant impact.
In a Sentence: The activist became a big noise in the community, leading successful campaigns for change.
27. A big league game
Meaning: A game or competition that is at the highest level of play.
In a Sentence: The championship match was a big league game, with top athletes competing for the title.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1:
- What does the idiom “A big fish in a small pond” mean?
- a) A large fish swimming in a small pond.
- b) Someone who is important or successful in a small environment or group.
- c) A small fish in a big pond.
Quiz 2:
- Which idiom refers to a person of great importance or authority, often in a formal setting?
- a) A big cheese
- b) A big talker
- c) A big mouth
Quiz 3:
- What does the expression “A big-time spender” describe?
- a) Someone who saves money wisely.
- b) Someone who spends a significant amount of money extravagantly.
- c) Someone who doesn’t spend money at all.
Quiz 4:
- What is the meaning of “A big kahuna”?
- a) A delicious Hawaiian dish.
- b) An important or influential person, often in a relaxed and informal context.
- c) A type of surfing board.
Quiz 5:
- Which idiom describes an opportunity with the potential for great success or impact?
- a) A big-league event
- b) A big shot in the arm
- c) A bigwig in politics
Quiz 6:
- What does the idiom “A big league game” refer to?
- a) A game played by professional athletes.
- b) A highly competitive or prestigious game or competition.
- c) A game for beginners.
Quiz 7:
- Who is considered a “bigwig in business”?
- a) Someone who just started a small business.
- b) A person of great importance or influence in the business world.
- c) A minor employee in a large corporation.
Quiz 8:
- What does the idiom “A big talker” describe?
- a) Someone who communicates using sign language.
- b) Someone who boasts or talks confidently about their abilities or achievements.
- c) Someone who is shy and reserved.
Quiz 9:
- Which idiom refers to a boost or support that significantly improves a situation or project?
- a) A big wheel
- b) A big shot
- c) A big shot in the arm
Quiz 10:
- What is the meaning of “A big league”?
- a) A minor league competition.
- b) A situation or context that is highly competitive or prestigious.
- c) A small and unimportant event.
Answers:
- b) Someone who is important or successful in a small environment or group.
- a) A big cheese
- b) Someone who spends a significant amount of money extravagantly.
- b) An important or influential person, often in a relaxed and informal context.
- b) A big shot in the arm
- b) A highly competitive or prestigious game or competition.
- b) A person of great importance or influence in the business world.
- b) Someone who boasts or talks confidently about their abilities or achievements.
- c) A big shot in the arm
- b) A situation or context that is highly competitive or prestigious.
Conclusion
Idioms for big add depth and nuance to our language, allowing us to convey complex ideas with just a few words. By understanding the meanings and usage of these idioms, you can enhance your communication skills and navigate the world of idiomatic expressions with ease.
