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

Teachers are a big deal, as are healthcare workers and service providers.

From Vox

If this actually happens, it will be a big deal, helping to further legitimize virtual currencies and dramatically expand the market for their use.

From Ars Technica

It’s not a big deal for small things, like recognizing images, but for larger problems it rapidly slows the whole process down, while increasing energy use.

From Singularity Hub 

These folks who tell us to move on, that it is not a big deal, that we should forget what’s happened, or even telling us to apologize — these are the same tactics of abusers.

From Washington Post

I was like, “Wow, OK, so this is like a big deal being a reality star,” because at that time, Carlos, a lot of people looked down on reality stars.

From Ozy

Koenig makes a big deal out of this call and frames it as a massive red herring.

From The Daily Beast

Religious displays on public property used to be a big deal.

From The Daily Beast

Grizzlies lick them up by the thousands, and the media has made a big deal out of Yellowstone bears eating these bugs.

From The Daily Beast

According to Merritt, at the time of the killings they were thrilled about scoring a big deal in Saudi Arabia.

From The Daily Beast

It was never a big deal before, but when he first got back, certain toys would throw him into a rage.

From The Daily Beast

I worked a big deal in futures for their father this morning; nice girls; it's time they were getting married.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a big deal in oil which concerned the buying up of seventeen huge adjoining ranches.

From Project Gutenberg

Paul reached home a little early, tired and cross from a big deal that had hung fire for ten days.

From Project Gutenberg

Look at your watch again and curse the mucking hombre de negocios who's holding up your big deal.

From Project Gutenberg

If it had be'n a big deal I wouldn't have be'n took in, that way.

From Project Gutenberg