- Said sarcastically to dismiss something someone else thinks is important or impressive.
- Implies that the speaker is not impressed or doesn't care.
Explanation
Origin
- The literal meaning is an important matter.
- Its sarcastic use flips this meaning, likely emerging in the mid-20th century as a common way to express nonchalance or disdain ironically.
- The humor or bite comes from the contrast between the literal meaning and the dismissive intent.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Whoop-dee-doo. (Highly sarcastic)
- Like I care.
- Whatever.
- Pfft. (Sound expressing dismissal)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Who gives a fuck? / Who gives a shit?
- Like fuck it is. (Disagreeing strongly that something is important)
- No shit? (Can be sarcastic dismissal, depending on tone)
Milder:
- Okay... (With doubtful/unimpressed tone)
- Is that all?
- Right. (Said dismissively)
Situational Appropriateness
- Highly informal.
- Can be considered rude or dismissive, depending on the relationship and context.
- Avoid in professional settings or polite conversation unless you know the person extremely well and share a sarcastic sense of humor.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might miss the sarcasm and take it literally, thinking the speaker is genuinely impressed. The flat intonation and context are crucial cues.
Examples
- Oh, you finished the report? Big deal, it was due yesterday.
- So he bought a new car. Big deal.
- Person A: I got a 5% raise! Person B: Big deal. I got 10%. (Used competitively/dismissively)
Dialogue
Liam: Guess what? I finally beat that video game level I was stuck on!
Chloe: Big deal. Took you long enough.
Liam: Hey! It was really hard!
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: My team won the local pub quiz. Big deal, I know, but I'm still happy! #TriviaNight (Self-deprecating use)
- Comment Reply: User A: Look at my amazing vacation photos! User B: Big deal. Seen better. #sorrynotsorry
- Meme: Picture of an unimpressed cat with the caption Big deal.
Response Patterns
- The person being dismissed might get defensive: Hey, it IS a big deal to me!
- They might agree sarcastically: Yeah, you're right, totally insignificant.
- They might ignore the comment.
- They might challenge the speaker: Why are you being so negative?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Big deal:
- The recipient might ask, What's your problem? or Why do you say that?
- They might try to justify why it *is* a big deal to them.
- They might simply stop talking about the subject.
The person saying Big deal might follow up with their own (perceived) more important news or simply change the subject, reinforcing their lack of interest.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's almost always a reaction or response, usually a negative or dismissive one.
Intonation
- Often spoken with a flat or falling intonation, sometimes drawn out (Biiiig deeeal).
- Emphasis typically falls on Big.
- A sarcastic tone is key – often accompanied by an eye roll or unimpressed facial expression.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations, though the level of sarcasm might be expressed differently.
Regional Variations
- Common in American English. Other regions might use different dismissive phrases (e.g., Big wow less commonly, or simply So?).