big shot

Pronunciation

• /bɪɡ ʃɑːt/ (American English)

Origin

A combination of "big" (large, important) and "shot" (a person of importance or influence), originating in the early 20th century.

Meanings

1. An important or influential person, especially in a particular field or organization.
2. Someone who is powerful, successful, or has a high status.

Example Sentences

1. "The CEO invited all the big shots from Silicon Valley to the conference."
2. "He acts like a big shot now that he's been promoted to manager."
3. "Don't let her intimidate you just because she's a big shot in the fashion industry."

Related Words

• Forms: No different forms
• Synonyms: VIP, mogul, tycoon, magnate, bigwig, heavyweight, high-flyer

Memorization Tricks

• Think of a "big shot" as someone who takes a "big shot" (significant action) in their field, making them important.
• Visualize a large gun firing a "big shot," symbolizing the person's power and influence.
• Remember the phrase "calling the shots" (making decisions), which relates to the idea of being in control, like a big shot.