noun
cheese
An important or powerful person, usually called a “big cheese.”
The new manager acts like the big cheese in every meeting.
Etymology
The South Asian word means thing and is commonly connected with the slang use of cheese for something important. Big cheese extends that importance to a powerful person.
More examples
- She asked which big cheese had approved the deal.
- Several big cheeses attended the reception.
- He had become a big cheese at the company.
Forms
cheese · cheeses
Similar words
- boss
- Names the person in charge.
- bigwig
- An informal, often mocking term for an important person.