big deal, a—
1. an important business transaction:
- My brother pulled off a big deal today. I think we’re going into business together.
2. said of smth. important:
- This attack alone may not be a big deal but in combination with others it has greater impact.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase great deal, a—very much; a lot:
- Vancouver Island has done a great deal to support the Mainland in the past, and is doing so at present.
big deal—is used as an ironic exclamation to say that smth. is not important at all:
- “So, I can charge an evening’s entertainment to business expenses.” “Oh, big deal. Carry on.”