deal

a big deal

a subject, situation, or event which people think is important. I don't know why this issue has become such a big deal. Losing the match was no big deal. All I said was, I'm going to have a baby - what's the big deal? Yes, it's his birthday today, but he doesn't want to make a big deal of it. (= make people notice it by having a special celebration)

See also: big

Big deal! (informal)

something that you say to show that you do not think that something is either important or interesting. 'Did I tell you Ann got a new car?' 'Big deal!'

See also: big

cut a deal (American)

to make an agreement or an arrangement with someone, especially in business or politics. The property developer tried to cut a deal with us to get us out of the building.

See also: cut

a done deal (mainly American)

a final decision or agreement. It's not a done deal - we're still talking about who to hire for the job. (often negative)

See also: done

get a raw deal

to not be treated as well as other people. The fact is that kids who are taught in classes of over thirty get a raw deal.

See also: raw

a sweet deal (American & Australian, informal)

a very good business agreement or arrangement. It's a sweet deal for the companies who get these franchises.

See also: sweet

What's the deal? (informal)

something that you say in order to ask someone to explain what they have been doing or what they are planning to do. 'You haven't been at work all week - what's the deal?' So, what's the deal - are we going out to dinner?

wheel and deal

wheeling and dealing - complicated and sometimes dishonest agreements in business or politics that people try to achieve in order to make profits or get advantages. He's the sort of guy that likes to drive fast cars and wheel and deal on the stock exchange.

See also: wheel

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big deal

something important or special. They made a big deal about inviting the president to the reception.

Usage notes: often used to say that something represented as important is in fact only ordinary: "I ran five miles this morning." "Big deal! I ran ten." They called him a hero, but he said it was no big deal.

See also: big

cut a deal

to make an agreement or an arrangement. There was pressure on both of them to cut a deal on the budget.

Usage notes: usually said about business or political agreements

See also: cut

deal something a death blow

to take an action that causes something to end or fail. New attacks dealt a death blow to the peace talks.

See also: blow, death

a done deal

a final decision or agreement. We've already hired someone for the position, so this is a done deal.

Usage notes: often used in the forms it's a done deal or it's not a done deal: We told them we needed more time to think about it, so it's not a done deal.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of done (= finished)

See also: done

a great deal (of something)

a large amount of something. He offered me a great deal of money. Keeping the house really meant a good deal to me.

See also: great

a raw deal

unfair treatment. If you feel you've had a raw deal, you can always sue me.

Usage notes: often used with give or get: Workers who felt they were getting a raw deal quit.

See also: raw

wheel and deal

wheeling and dealing

See also: wheel