Big fish


noun (informal)
an important or powerful person
a big fish in a small pond, the most important or powerful person in a small group
Contemporary Examples

Indian and Pakistani Leaders Seek to End Their Cold War, but Will the ‘Deep State’ Allow Peace? Bruce Riedel May 25, 2014
Elvis Costello Snubs Israel Roi Ben-Yehuda May 19, 2010
Malcolm Gladwell In Five Minutes: What to Know to Pretend You’ve Read the New Book Thomas Flynn October 4, 2013
Richard Holbrooke’s Last Mission in Afghanistan by David Rohde David Rohde November 25, 2011
My Friend Oderus Urungus: GWAR’s Dave Brockie Was a High School Punk Legend Andy Hinds March 24, 2014

Historical Examples

Tales of Fishes Zane Grey
My Double Life Sarah Bernhardt
The Haunters of the Silences Charles G. D. Roberts
Tales of Fishes Zane Grey
Third Warning Roy J. Snell

Read Also:

  • Big fish in a small pond

    noun Also, big frog in a little pond. A person who is important in a limited arena; someone overqualified for a position or in relation to colleagues. For example, Steve has both a Ph.D. and an M.D., yet he’s content with his practice at a rural hospital; he prefers to be a big fish in […]

  • Big five

    the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan during World War I and at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. (after World War II) the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, China, and France. noun the Big Five the five countries considered to be the major world powers. In the period immediately following […]

  • Bigfoot

    a very large, hairy, humanoid creature reputed to inhabit wilderness areas of the U.S. and Canada, especially the Pacific Northwest. a prominent or influential person, especially a journalist or news analyst. to assert one’s authority or influence (over): lobbyists bigfooting around the Senate; a reporter bigfooted by a senior correspondent. Contemporary Examples Conservatives, Fired Up […]

  • Big game

    large wild animals, especially when hunted for sport. large fish, as tuna and marlin, when sought by deep-sea anglers. a major objective, especially one that involves risk. Contemporary Examples Super Bowl: The Best That Never Was! Buzz Bissinger February 3, 2011 How A British Aristocrat Used Big Game Hunter’s Sperm To Get Pregnant Without His […]

  • Big government

    noun (derogatory, mainly US) a form of government characterized by high taxation and public spending and centralization of political power Contemporary Examples The Sprawling, Dimming Age of Obama Lloyd Green June 29, 2013 The Rise of the New New Left Peter Beinart September 11, 2013 How Do You Win the VP Debate? David Frum October […]


Disclaimer: Big fish definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.