big cheese

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big cheese" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to someone important or of high rank, such as a powerful business person or a celebrity. For example, "John met with one of the biggest cheeses in the industry for a job interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Big changes to Monkey's Big Cheese Chart today.

The Guardian

He was a big cheese at a young age.

The New York Times

An entire chapter is spent eviscerating Prior, "The Big Cheese".

The Guardian - Sport

You can be cheesecake, or a big cheese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He may not look it, but he is quite the big cheese.

The Economist

Well, she knows she isn't the big cheese she once was.

The New York Times

"He doesn't need to be acknowledged as a big cheese," Costas said.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't the last time a big cheese entered the White House.

The New Yorker

Journalists should try using it (they can fall back on big cheese occasionally).

The Economist

The UN's most recent big cheese was none other than the secretary-general.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Big cheese-eating grin".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with possessive pronouns (e.g. 'the company's big cheese') to clarify the organization they lead.

Common error

Avoid using this idiom in strictly formal legal or academic documents where it may appear unprofessional or flippant. Stick to formal titles like 'Chief Executive Officer' or 'Director' in those instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big cheese" functions as an idiomatic noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or the object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe a high-ranking or influential person within an organization or group. It follows standard English syntactic rules for noun phrases, allowing for modifications like 'the biggest cheese' or 'a real big cheese'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big cheese" is a robust and widely recognized English idiom used to denote a person of significant importance or authority. Based on analysis from Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly correct and usable in a variety of written contexts, particularly in journalism and creative non-fiction. While synonyms like "head honcho" or big shot offer similar meanings, "big cheese" remains a classic choice for adding descriptive flair to your writing. Writers should, however, remain mindful of its informal nature and avoid its use in highly technical or legal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head honcho

Slightly more informal and often used in workplace environments

big shot

Focuses more on the perceived importance or flashiness of the individual

top dog

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of being at the top of a hierarchy

bigwig

A more old-fashioned term often used to describe political or social elites

big fish

Specifically refers to an important person within a smaller or specific pool

key player

A more professional and neutral alternative suitable for corporate contexts

decision-maker

Literal and functional term used in business and organizational logic

power broker

Implies the ability to influence others and control resources

executive

The standard formal noun for high-ranking corporate officials

grand cheese

A rare and highly playful variation of the original idiom

FAQs

How to use "big cheese" in a sentence?

You can use it to refer to a person in charge, such as: "She had to get approval from the "head honcho" before the project could proceed."

What can I say instead of "big cheese"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "big shot", "top dog", or "key player".

Which is correct, "big cheese" or "big fish"?

Both are correct but have different nuances. Use "big fish" when referring to someone important in a specific group, whereas "big cheese" is a general term for a boss.

Is "big cheese" an offensive term?

No, it is generally considered a playful or informal idiom rather than an insult, though it can be used with mild irony to mock someone's self-importance.