that's why (one) makes the big bucks

humorous Said of one who has done something that someone else was unable to do. An allusion to the skills necessary to be in a high-paying job. A: "I'm worried that writing Susan up will lead to a huge HR nightmare." B: "Let Carrie deal with it. She's the general manager—that's why she makes the big bucks." We were flabbergasted when Mom figured out how to get Fluffy safely out of the tree, but she just laughed and said, "That's why I make the big bucks."