big deal

[ big deel ]

noun

1. an important or impressive person or thing:

   to make a big deal out of nothing;

   I hear he's a big deal on Wall Street now.

2. (used ironically as an interjection to indicate that one considers something to be unimportant or unimpressive):

   So you're the mayor's cousin—big deal!

big deal

interjection

1. slang.
   an exclamation of scorn, derision, etc, used esp to belittle a claim or offer

Word History and Origins

Origin of big deal¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. (it’s) no big deal. no big deal

Example Sentences

"But I didn't think it would be quite the big deal that it was because it's just a guy that's done a TV show for a long time. It's nothing more than that really."

From BBC

That helped diversify Spotify’s offering, but the company eventually pulled back on some big deals after overspending.

From Los Angeles Times

"Also, the east/west coast beef was mainly ignited by jealousy. It was an ashtray fire fanned into a big deal by media outlets that led to Biggie and Tupac getting killed."

From BBC

“Inflation is a big deal, and I don’t think Harris quite gets it,” he said.

From BBC

“I’m running against two people that just put out the worst job numbers, which is a big deal, the biggest deal economically, the biggest thing that happened,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times