big wheel

noun

, Informal.

1. an influential or important person:

   a big wheel in business.

big wheel

noun

1. another name for a Ferris wheel
2. informal.
   an important person

Word History and Origins

Origin of big wheel¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Idioms and Phrases

see under big cheese .

Example Sentences

On Friday, viewers will see him give the big wheel his final spin, capping one of the most impressive runs in television history — and the longest ever for a game show host.

From New York Times

It’s shiny silver and resembles an RV—has a door and wide windows on the sides—but it also has a smokestack and big wheels with pistons like a locomotive.

From Literature

The leading men of the show traded their donkey and horse for a paletero cart and a big wheel bike with a horse skull attached.

From Los Angeles Times

Sajak will not be its hub forever, but the whole point of the big wheel is to spin and spin and spin while staying in place.

From New York Times

In a visual medium such as film or television, the writer is often viewed as an invisible spoke in a very big wheel.

From Los Angeles Times