̈ɪbɪɡ adj. & adv. --adj. (bigger, biggest) 1 a of
considerable size,
amount,
intensity, etc. (a big
mistake; a big helping). b of a
large or
the largest size (big
toe; big drum). 2
important;
significant;
outstanding (the big race; my big chance). 3 a
grown up (a big
boy now). b elder (big sister). 4 colloq. a
boastful (big words; big mouth). b
often iron.
generous (big of him). c
ambitious (big ideas). 5 (usu. foll. by with) advanced in
pregnancy;
fecund (big
with child; big with consequences). --adv. colloq. in a big
manner, esp.: 1 effectively (went
over big). 2 boastfully (talk big). 3 ambitiously (think big). øBig
Apple US sl.
New York City. big
band a large
jazz or
pop orchestra. big
bang Stock Exch. (in the UK) the
introduction in 1986 of important changes in the regulations
and procedures
for trading,
esp. the widening of
membership, the
relaxation of rules for brokers, and the introduction of computerized communications. big bang
theory the theory
that the
universe began with the
explosion of
dense matter. Big Ben the
great clock
tower of the Houses of
Parliament and
its bell. Big
Board US colloq. the New York Stock
Exchange. Big
Brother an all-powerful
supposedly benevolent dictator (as in Orwell's 1984). big bud a
plant disease caused by the gall-mite. big
bug sl. =
BIGWIG. big
business large-scale
financial dealings, esp.
when sinister or exploitative. Big
Chief (or Daddy) sl. = BIGWIG. big deal! sl. iron. I am
not impressed. big
dipper 1 a
fairground switchback. 2 US = the Great Bear (see BEAR(2)). big
end (in a
motor vehicle) the end of the connecting-rod that encircles the
crankpin. big game large animals hunted for
sport. big
gun sl. = BIGWIG. big-head colloq. a
conceited person. big-headed colloq. conceited. big-headedness colloq. conceitedness. big-hearted generous. big
house 1 the
principal house in a
village etc. 2 sl. a
prison. big
idea often iron. the important
intention or
scheme. big
money large amounts;
high profit; high pay. big
name a
famous person. big
noise (or pot or shot) colloq. = BIGWIG. big
smoke Brit. sl. 1 London. 2
any large
town. big stick a
display of force. Big
Three (or
Four etc.) the
predominant few. the big
time sl.
success in a
profession, esp.
show business. big-timer sl. a person
who achieves success. big top the main tent in a
circus. big
tree US a
giant evergreen conifer, Sequoiadendron giganteum, usu. with a
trunk of large
girth. big
wheel 1 a Ferris wheel. 2 US sl. = BIGWIG.
come (or go) over big
make a great
effect. in a big
way 1 on a large scale. 2 colloq. with great
enthusiasm, display, etc.
look (or talk) big
boast.
think big be ambitious.
too big for one's
boots (or breeches) sl. conceited. øøbiggish adj. bigness n. [ME: orig. unkn.]