Sometimes, people don’t say “big” in a regular way. They use fun phrases called idioms. These idioms help make talking and writing more interesting. For example, instead of saying “a big mess,” someone might say “a whale of a mess.” It means the same thing, but it sounds more fun and paints a picture in your mind.
In this article, you will learn different idioms that mean “big.” You’ll see how they are used and what they mean. These sayings can help you understand stories better. They can also help you be a better writer. Let’s take a closer look at some of these big ideas.
Idioms for Big
1. A whale of a time
Meaning: A really big or fun time
To Provide an Example: We had a whale of a time at the zoo. / The school trip was a whale of a time.
Alternative Meaning: A huge amount of fun / A really great time
2. As big as a house
Meaning: Very large in size
To Provide an Example: That truck is as big as a house. / The cake was as big as a house!
Alternative Meaning: Very large / Huge
3. A ton of
Meaning: A lot of something
To Provide an Example: I have a ton of homework. / We picked a ton of apples.
Alternative Meaning: So many / Loads of
4. Larger than life
Meaning: Very exciting or important
To Provide an Example: The movie star seemed larger than life. / My grandpa’s stories are larger than life.
Alternative Meaning: Very bold / Very noticeable
5. A mountain of
Meaning: A huge pile or amount
To Provide an Example: I saw a mountain of leaves in the yard. / There was a mountain of laundry.
Alternative Meaning: A big stack / Lots and lots
6. A giant leap
Meaning: A big move forward
To Provide an Example: Learning to read was a giant leap for me. / Getting glasses helped me take a giant leap in class.
Alternative Meaning: A big step / A big change
7. Like an elephant
Meaning: Very big or heavy
To Provide an Example: The new chair is like an elephant. / The snowman we made was like an elephant.
Alternative Meaning: Very large / Super big
8. Big as the sky
Meaning: Extremely large or endless
To Provide an Example: Her smile was big as the sky. / My love for my dog is big as the sky.
Alternative Meaning: Super big / Never-ending
9. A big deal
Meaning: Something very important
To Provide an Example: The spelling test was a big deal for me. / Winning the game was a big deal to our team.
Alternative Meaning: A big moment / Something that matters a lot
10. Big-hearted
Meaning: Kind and giving
To Provide an Example: My mom is so big-hearted. / The teacher is big-hearted to every student.
Alternative Meaning: Very kind / Caring
11. Big as a barn
Meaning: Very large or wide
To Provide an Example: That dog is big as a barn. / The pumpkin was big as a barn.
Alternative Meaning: Really big / Huge
12. Big cheese
Meaning: An important person
To Provide an Example: The principal is the big cheese at our school. / My dad is the big cheese at his job.
Alternative Meaning: The boss / A leader
13. Big fish in a small pond
Meaning: Someone important in a small group
To Provide an Example: She’s the best player on our small team—like a big fish in a small pond. / He’s a big fish in his class.
Alternative Meaning: A standout / The best in a small group
14. Big time
Meaning: A lot or very much
To Provide an Example: I messed up big time. / I like pizza big time.
Alternative Meaning: A lot / In a big way
15. Big bucks
Meaning: A lot of money
To Provide an Example: My uncle made big bucks at his new job. / That toy costs big bucks.
Alternative Meaning: Lots of money / Expensive
16. Make it big
Meaning: To become successful
To Provide an Example: He wants to make it big in music. / She made it big as a writer.
Alternative Meaning: Become a star / Get really good at something
17. Big mouth
Meaning: Someone who talks too much
To Provide an Example: Don’t tell Tim, he has a big mouth! / She has a big mouth and told the secret.
Alternative Meaning: A blabber / Talks a lot
18. Big shot
Meaning: Someone who is important or acts that way
To Provide an Example: He walked in like a big shot. / She thinks she’s a big shot now.
Alternative Meaning: Someone showing off / A big person in a group
19. As big as a giant
Meaning: Very, very tall or large
To Provide an Example: That basketball player is as big as a giant. / The snowman we made is big as a giant.
Alternative Meaning: Very tall / Giant-like
20. Big shoes to fill
Meaning: A lot to live up to
To Provide an Example: I have big shoes to fill after my sister won the art prize. / Taking Dad’s spot on the team gave me big shoes to fill.
Alternative Meaning: A hard job / Something big to follow
21. Big picture
Meaning: The full idea or plan
To Provide an Example: We need to look at the big picture before building. / She sees the big picture in every project.
Alternative Meaning: The whole thing / Main idea
22. Big break
Meaning: A big chance
To Provide an Example: He got his big break in the school play. / This contest could be her big break.
Alternative Meaning: Big chance / Big moment
23. Big win
Meaning: A great success
To Provide an Example: Our class had a big win at the spelling bee. / That prize was a big win for her.
Alternative Meaning: Huge success / Big prize
24. Big on
Meaning: Really likes
To Provide an Example: I’m big on reading books. / She’s big on helping others.
Alternative Meaning: Likes a lot / Enjoys
25. Big news
Meaning: Important or surprising news
To Provide an Example: I have big news—we’re moving! / The school had big news about the new teacher.
Alternative Meaning: Important update / Surprising info
26. Big plans
Meaning: Exciting ideas for the future
To Provide an Example: We have big plans for the weekend. / He has big plans for his birthday.
Alternative Meaning: Fun ideas / Exciting things coming
27. Big hit
Meaning: Very popular
To Provide an Example: The song was a big hit at the dance. / Her cupcakes were a big hit at the party.
Alternative Meaning: Everyone liked it / A favorite
28. Big help
Meaning: Very helpful
To Provide an Example: You were a big help with the puzzle. / She was a big help cleaning the room.
Alternative Meaning: Very useful / Helped a lot
29. Big eyes
Meaning: Wants too much
To Provide an Example: He took three cookies—big eyes! / I had big eyes when I asked for all that candy.
Alternative Meaning: Greedy / Wants more than needed
30. Big laugh
Meaning: Loud or strong laugh
To Provide an Example: Dad let out a big laugh at the joke. / The class gave a big laugh when I slipped.
Alternative Meaning: Loud laugh / Funny moment
31. Big change
Meaning: Something different in a big way
To Provide an Example: Moving schools is a big change. / Getting a pet was a big change for us.
Alternative Meaning: Major difference / A shift
32. Big mess
Meaning: A very messy situation
To Provide an Example: The kitchen was a big mess after baking. / My room was a big mess this morning.
Alternative Meaning: Lots of clutter / Very untidy
33. Big storm
Meaning: A strong storm
To Provide an Example: Last night’s big storm knocked out the lights. / The big storm made trees fall down.
Alternative Meaning: Heavy rain / Bad weather
34. Big surprise
Meaning: Something unexpected
To Provide an Example: My party was a big surprise. / Seeing Grandma was a big surprise.
Alternative Meaning: Unexpected thing / Shocking moment
35. Big smile
Meaning: A happy and wide smile
To Provide an Example: She gave a big smile after winning. / I saw his big smile when he got a toy.
Alternative Meaning: Happy face / Cheerful look
36. Big step
Meaning: An important move
To Provide an Example: Learning to tie shoes is a big step. / Starting school is a big step.
Alternative Meaning: Big moment / First move
37. Big words
Meaning: Difficult or fancy words
To Provide an Example: That book has big words I don’t know. / He used big words in his speech.
Alternative Meaning: Hard to understand words / Long words
38. Big family
Meaning: A family with many people
To Provide an Example: I come from a big family with five kids. / We had a big family dinner.
Alternative Meaning: Lots of family members / Large group
39. Big game
Meaning: An important sports game
To Provide an Example: Today is the big game—our team plays the finals. / I wore my lucky socks for the big game.
Alternative Meaning: Big match / Important sports event
40. Big job
Meaning: A task that takes time and work
To Provide an Example: Cleaning the garage was a big job. / Homework tonight is a big job.
Alternative Meaning: Hard task / Big chore
41. Big talk
Meaning: Saying things to sound important
To Provide an Example: He does big talk but didn’t do the work. / She had big talk about winning, but didn’t try.
Alternative Meaning: Boasting / Bragging
42. Big shot caller
Meaning: A person who makes big decisions
To Provide an Example: Coach is the big shot caller during games. / My mom is the big shot caller at home.
Alternative Meaning: Leader / Boss
43. Big wig
Meaning: A very important person
To Provide an Example: The mayor is a big wig in town. / The big wig came to visit our school.
Alternative Meaning: VIP / Special person
44. Big shoes
Meaning: A lot of pressure to do well
To Provide an Example: After my sister won the contest, I had big shoes to fill. / Following Dad in the spelling bee gave me big shoes.
Alternative Meaning: A hard act to follow / A tough job ahead
45. Big splash
Meaning: Getting a lot of attention
To Provide an Example: Her dress made a big splash at the party. / His art made a big splash in class.
Alternative Meaning: Got noticed / Made people look
46. Big noise
Meaning: A loud or important person
To Provide an Example: He acts like a big noise in the group. / She’s not the boss but acts like a big noise.
Alternative Meaning: Show-off / Tries to be in charge
47. Big belly
Meaning: A large stomach
To Provide an Example: After eating, I had a big belly. / Santa has a big belly.
Alternative Meaning: Full tummy / Round middle
48. Big spender
Meaning: Someone who spends a lot of money
To Provide an Example: My uncle is a big spender at the mall. / He’s a big spender on games.
Alternative Meaning: Buys a lot / Likes to spend
49. Big noise about nothing
Meaning: A big fuss over something small
To Provide an Example: They made a big noise about a lost pencil. / It was just a mistake, but she made a big noise.
Alternative Meaning: Overreacting / Making it a big deal
50. Big head
Meaning: Thinking you are better than others
To Provide an Example: He got a big head after winning. / Don’t get a big head just because you got a prize.
Alternative Meaning: Full of yourself / Too proud
Trials for Success: Idioms for Big
- After the class party, the room was a _______ mess.
- Winning the reading contest was a _______ deal for Emily.
- We had a _______ of a time at the school carnival.
- My grandpa has a _______ heart and always helps his neighbors.
- The snowman in front of our house is as _______ as a giant.
- When I got picked for the lead role, it felt like my _______ break.
- Mr. Lee is the _______ cheese in the school office.
- I was hungry and took three slices of pizza—guess I had _______ eyes.
- My sister had a _______ smile when she saw her birthday cake.
- I made a _______ mistake by forgetting my homework.
- Our dog made a _______ splash at the pet costume contest.
- The gym was packed for the _______ game last Friday night.
- My backpack felt like it weighed a _______ of bricks.
- Cleaning the garage with Dad was a _______ job.
- Mom said I had _______ shoes to fill after my brother won the art prize.
Answer Key
- big
- big
- whale
- big
- big
- big
- big
- big
- big
- big
- big
- big
- ton
- big
- big
Conclusion
Idioms can help us say big things in fun ways. Instead of just saying “huge” or “a lot,” we can use phrases like “a ton of,” “big deal,” or “big shoes to fill.” These sayings make stories and talks more colorful and easy to picture.
Now that you know some idioms for “big,” try using them when you speak or write. It can make your words stronger and more fun to hear. Keep learning, and you’ll find new ways to say old things.
