big-time operator

A person, company, or organization that is very successful, prominent, and influential in some area of business. Once a small local farm run by Jefferies and his brothers, their berry business is now a big-time operator responsible for supplying the entire Pacific Northwest. These big-time operators have the funds to fight these civil lawsuits, but smaller companies like ours have little choice but to try and settle for an amount we can afford. When we were in school together, that guy was such a slacker! I had no idea he became such a big-time operator in the oil trade.

smooth operator

One who is particularly charming and persuasive in one's speech or behavior. Chad is such a smooth operator that he always has women swooning over him whenever we go out. She's a smooth operator who knows how to maneuver her way through the various levels of bureaucracy to get what she wants.

a smooth operator

If you describe someone as a smooth operator, you mean that they are very successful, often by cleverly persuading other people to do what they want. As with many people in the Foreign Office, he is a smooth operator and able to avoid conflict.

big-time operator

and BTO

1. n. someone who does business in a big way. (The abbreviation is an initialism.) If you’re such a BTO, why are we standing here in the rain?

2. n. a man who chases women. That twit thinks he’s a big-time operator. A stud he’s not. A big-time operator needs a big-time car!

smooth operator

and smoothie

n. a clever and quiet person, especially in reference to romantic involvement; a seducer. He thinks he’s such a smooth operator! Clare is an old smoothie till she thinks she’s got everything the way she wants. Then you see the real Clare.