big hitter

noun

1. a sportsperson who is capable of hitting the ball long or hard
2. informal.
   an influential and important person

   one of the government's big hitters

Example Sentences

Naomi Osaka v Jelena Ostapenko: It is a first US Open appearance in two years for two-time champion Osaka, who will face fellow big hitter and former French Open champion Ostapenko.

From BBC

Fashion is a big hitter when it comes to the UK economy - it's a multi-billion pound contributor and the industry directly employs hundreds of thousands of people.

From BBC

Always known as a big hitter, she was once notorious for double faulting at crucial moments, and was left in tears more than once on court.

From BBC

Safety D’Ondre Robinson, who had a reputation as a big hitter, was one of the Mounties’ leaders in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

News that he had been appointed foreign secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday delighted the centrist wing of the ruling Conservative Party, who said Britain needed a big hitter on the global stage who would also prove an electoral asset.

From Reuters