the big guns
plural noun
informal
: the most powerful people, companies, organizations, etc.
They called in the big guns to deal with the problem.
Examples of the big guns in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whether at even strength or on the power play, the big guns for Tampa never seemed to get on track.
—
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
So, getting your husband to change his way may involve bringing in the big guns.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
The Capitals may not have the big guns to stack up to the league’s best, but their balance is a major asset.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Johnson may need to bring in the big guns: There’s a growing sense among Republicans that President Trump may have to get involved.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
Saturday Night Live season 50 continues to bring in the big guns.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
The 2025 Academy Awards feels like an apt time to bring out the big guns in regard to style.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
After another apparent operational pause, one or more of the big guns rolled into action with the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group in eastern Ukraine last month.
—David Axe, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Trisha Paytas is calling in the big guns for her Broadway debut!
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
So, getting your husband to change his way may involve bringing in the big guns.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
The Capitals may not have the big guns to stack up to the league’s best, but their balance is a major asset.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Johnson may need to bring in the big guns: There’s a growing sense among Republicans that President Trump may have to get involved.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
Saturday Night Live season 50 continues to bring in the big guns.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
The 2025 Academy Awards feels like an apt time to bring out the big guns in regard to style.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
After another apparent operational pause, one or more of the big guns rolled into action with the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group in eastern Ukraine last month.
—David Axe, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Trisha Paytas is calling in the big guns for her Broadway debut!
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“The big guns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20guns. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share