big deal

noun

: something of special importance

what's the big deal?

—sometimes used ironically as an interjection

Example Sentences

The party was a big deal.

The cost didn't seem like much to me, but I know it was a big deal for many people.

Recent Examples on the Web

For people who reside near the equator (in places such as Quito, Ecuador, or Singapore), none of this is really a big deal. —Forrest Brown, CNN, 20 Mar. 2023

Questions for Hobbs' nominee rankle Governor's Office Why the Taylor Swift tour is a big deal for Glendale Cox to bring broadband to rural southern Arizona Robinson joined the Phoenix Police Department in late 1980 as a patrol officer. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2023

Stack says the occasion is a big deal and is a family day. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2023

Depositors with relatively small accounts don’t generally pull out their money and search for higher rates when interest rates go up, Gagnon said, so having a mismatch between a bank’s long-term investments and short-term deposits isn’t a big deal. —Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2023

While starring on Melrose was a big deal for any actress in the '90s, Rutherford's most memorable role remains her turn as Lily van der Woodsen on all six seasons of Gossip Girl. —Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2023

Why No Labels gaining ballot access in Arizona is potentially a big deal. —Chuck Todd, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2023

What else is happening at SXSW 2023? SXSW is a big deal for Austin: In 2022, the festival had a reported financial impact of $280.7 million on the city, which was actually a little less than previous annual totals. —Brittany Anas, Chron, 8 Mar. 2023

Here’s the announce trailer: This is a big deal for Microsoft. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above