as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
thinks he's a big cheese just because he's got a business card
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Recent Examples of big cheese
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.
—
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
Somalia’s new big cheese will quickly find out how much has been bitten off his capacity to govern.
—Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2017
So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
All is fair in love and big cheese.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2023
There’s a new big cheese in Wisconsin real estate.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2022
According to Business Insider, the increase in the demand for cheese has caused the product's price to reach record highs, especially since many of the restaurants that are able to remain open with takeout and delivery are big cheese users (think pizzerias and fast-food eateries).
—Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, 23 June 2020
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
Somalia’s new big cheese will quickly find out how much has been bitten off his capacity to govern.
—Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2017
So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
All is fair in love and big cheese.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2023
There’s a new big cheese in Wisconsin real estate.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2022
According to Business Insider, the increase in the demand for cheese has caused the product's price to reach record highs, especially since many of the restaurants that are able to remain open with takeout and delivery are big cheese users (think pizzerias and fast-food eateries).
—Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, 23 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big cheese
Noun
-
Late one night, the heavies from the local don throw a few bricks through the window of an honest shopkeeper.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The 6 foot 5 inch Lister made an indelible impression as Deebo, the bicycle-riding neighborhood heavy who terrorizes Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in the comedy Friday (1995).—
Danny Horn,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Minnesota countered with only two bigs in Dawson Garcia (6-11) and Parker Fox (6-8).—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
-
In its broadest scope, the Wizards’ decision over the summer to sign Valančiūnas provided some instant offense, some defensive rebounding and some cover for Sarr to avoid getting shoved around by some of the league’s most physical bigs.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
When Knight’s phone rings with a check-in from Parker, Arturo threatens them all with his big gun.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Reports also suggest the Switch 2 will be a significant graphical step up from its aging 2017 predecessor, perhaps even getting close to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Of course, the most important thing is the games, and Nintendo has some big guns to roll out.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Based on its size, this big boy was near the end of its lifespan and the winter weather was taking its toll.—
Stan Tekiela,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Unfortunately, very big boy Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees took the crown this season with 58 home runs.—
Bryan Walsh,
Vox,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
One of the teachers at Abbott, Jacob (played by Chris Perfetti), paid homage to Sajak with his costume, which even included a big wheel.—
Kayla Caldwell,
Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2024
-
The original penny-farthing bicycle had a big wheel up front with a smaller one out at the back, and was also known as a high-wheel cycle.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
In the aftermath of the 2018 Woolsey Fire, lions struggled to hunt, faced starvation and transversed wider and wider swaths of habitat, frequently risking road crossings.—
Anton Sorokin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
-
On Saturday, three multicolored and gold-adorned dancing lions swirled, extending good wishes to the crowd while moving in step with the rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals.—
Autumn Alvarez,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Gouda originates in the Netherlands and is a relatively niche cheese compared with heavy hitters like cheddar in the US or paneer in India, The Verge points out.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
7 Feb. 2025
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Zoom in: Some of the closures last year took out heavy hitters in the industry.—
Kale Williams,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to big cheese
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Cite this Entry
“Big cheese.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20cheese. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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