a big shot

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a big shot

1. noun An important, successful, or influential person. Ever since Jack won the poker tournament, he walks around acting like he's some kind of big shot. Don't forget to dress up for work tomorrow. The company's corporate big shots are coming to visit. Don't forget about us after you've become a big shot out in LA!
2. adjective Indicative of power or importance. I doubt that a big shot office will entice her to work here. Who cares what some big-shot publisher thinks? I love your book! Do you think people around here would take me more seriously if I carried a big shot briefcase?
See also: big, shot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

big shot

see under big cheese.
See also: big, shot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

a big shot

A big shot is a very important person in an organization. He was a big shot with the local Conservative Association. Note: This expression is used to express disapproval.
See also: big, shot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

big shot

and bigshot
1. n. a very important person. I’m no big shot, but I do have a little power around here.
2. mod. mighty; overbearing; overly important. If you think that a big shot title impresses me, you’re wrong.
See also: big, shot

bigshot

verb
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Not even a big-shot correspondent can escape the silly notions of pedestrians, either.
Beyonce and Jay-Z drew stares as they giggled and chatted in a row of seats also occupied by Sigel's mother, fiancA and Roc-A-Fella Records big-shot Damon Dash.
One reporter covers the story from inside, cultivating sources; the other, taking the outsider's perspective, worries much less about offending big-shot officials.
ROBERT EARNSHAW is the little big-shot whose goals are powering Cardiff up the Third Division.
KEVIN PHILLIPS reckons Birmingham City need to start coping better with being Championship big-shots.
Saying his analysis was based on congressional intelligence briefings and tips from the White House, Graham confided to an audience larded with business big-shots: "Before the end of summer or fall we'll be in a major engagement with Iraq.