big deal
1. Someone or something that is considered important or consequential. Being the first in her family to graduate college was a big deal to Katie. I'm kind of a big deal here, but I'll just be the new kid when I switch schools. You may think you're a big deal now, but in reality, even with all these Tony wins, you're still a nobody in Hollywood.
2. Who cares? That's not impressive or important. So you did 20 push-ups. Big deal, I can do 100. A: "Wow, a 1969 Mustang!" B: "Big deal. It's just a car." So the color on the sign is less clementine and more apricot. Big deal, they're both shades of orange.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
big deal
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
big deal!
used to express contempt for something regarded as impressive or important by another person. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
big ˈdeal
(informal, ironic) used for suggesting that something is not as important or impressive as somebody else thinks it is: ‘I’ve got tickets for next Saturday’s football match.’ ‘Big deal! Who’s interested in football anyway?’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
big deal
1. n. something really important. Don’t make such a big deal out of it!
2. exclam. So what!; What does it matter? (Usually Big deal!) So he snores! Big deal! Snore back!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
big deal
An important matter; also, so what, who cares. The differentiation between these two phrases depends on the speaker’s tone. An example of the first sense might be, “A first helicopter ride for a five-year-old is a big deal.” The second sense appears in, “So she got her first choice of colleges—well, big deal!” This sense can also be conveyed by no big deal. All three usages date from about 1940.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer