big

Universal Words adjective, adverb adjective (bigger, biggest) large 1 large in size, degree, amount, etc: a big man / house / increase * This shirt isn't big enough. * It's the world's biggest computer company. * (informal) He had this great big grin on his face. * They were earning big money. * The news came as a big blow. older 2 (informal) older: You're a big girl now. * my big brother important 3 [onlybeforenoun] important; serious: a big decision * Tonight is the biggest match of his career. * You are making a big mistake. * She took the stage for her big moment. * (informal) Do you really think we can take on the big boys (= compete with the most powerful people)? ambitious 4 (informal) (of a plan) needing a lot of effort, money or time to succeed: They're full of big ideas. popular 5 ~ (in...) (informal) popular with the public; successful: Orange is the big colour this year. * The band's very big in Japan. enthusiastic 6 (informal) enthusiastic about sb/sth: I'm a big fan of hers. doing sth a lot 7 doing sth often or to a large degree: a big eater / drinker / spender generous 8 ~ of sb (usually ironic) kind or generous: He gave me an extra five pounds for two hours' work. I thought 'That's big of you'. bigness noun [U] (rare) IDIOMS be / get too big for your boots to be/become too proud of yourself; to behave as if you are more important than you really are a big cheese (informal, humorous) an important and powerful person, especially in an organization big deal (spoken) used to say that you are not impressed by sth: So he earns more than me. Big deal! the big enchilada (AmE, informal, humorous) the most important person or thing a big fish (in a small pond) an important person (in a small community) a big noise / shot / name an important person the big picture (informal, especially AmE) the situation as a whole: Right now forget the details and take a look at the big picture. the big stick (informal) the use or threat of force or power: The authorities used quiet persuasion instead of the big stick. the big three, four, etc. the three, four, etc. most important countries, people, companies, etc: She works for one of the Big Six. give sb / get a big hand to show your approval of sb by CLAPPING your hands; to be APPLAUDED in this way: Ladies and gentlemen, give a big hand for our special guests tonight... have / be a big mouth 1 to be bad at keeping secrets 2 to talk too much, especially about your own abilities and achievements me and my big mouth (spoken) used when you realize that you have said sth that you should not have said no big deal (spoken) used to say that sth is not important or not a problem: If I don't win it's no big deal. moreatEYEn., FISHn., THING, WAYn. adverb in an impressive way: We need to think big. IDIOMS go over big (with sb) (informal) to make a good impression on sb; to be successful: This story went over big with my kids. make it big to be very successful: He's hoping to make it big on TV. moreatHITv. ______________________________ WHICHWORD? big / large / great These adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns: big ~ large ~ great ~ man numbers success house part majority car area interest boy room importance dog company difficulty smile eyes problem problem family pleasure surprise volume beauty question population artist difference problem surprise Large is more formal than big and should be used in writing unless it is in an informal style. It is not usually used to describe people, except to avoid saying 'fat'. Great often suggests quality and not just size. Note also the phrases: a large amount of * a large number of * a large quantity of * a great deal of * in great detail * a person of great age. ______________________________