big deal

American  

[big deel] / ˈbɪg ˈdil /

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!

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idioms

1. (it’s) no big deal. no big deal

big deal British  

interjection

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

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big deal More Idioms  

1. A matter of great interest or importance, as in Performing in Symphony Hall is a big deal for everyone in the chorus . [c. 1940] Also see under make a federal case out of .

2. So what? Who cares? For example, So you got the job after all—well, big deal! This use of the phrase as an ironic interjection dates from approximately the same time.

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Etymology

Origin of big deal

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“For us, performing there is such a big deal, it’s nerve-racking.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Was it really such a big deal to begin with?

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

That’s no big deal if you’re going to binge movies or TV shows for hours or snooze the flight away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Canadian Jeremy Hansen is among the four-person crew, what astronaut and fellow countryman Joshua Kutryk called "a very big deal."

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

“No big deal? All that wind? All that rain? Not to mention the height. And you’ve done this more than once? My goodness, I’ve never been in the company of someone so brave.”

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el