big bucks: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Informal, colloquial. Common in business journalism, casual conversation, and entertainment/celebrity contexts. Not used in formal reports or academic writing.
Quick answer
What does “big bucks” mean?
A large amount of money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large amount of money; a significant sum of wealth, typically emphasizing substantial earnings or financial gain.
Can also imply high-stakes financial contexts, lucrative opportunities, or the culture of conspicuous wealth and spending.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English, but fully understood and used in British English. In the UK, alternatives like 'serious money' or 'a fortune' might be equally frequent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests a somewhat flashy or impressive amount of money. It can be neutral or slightly positive in contexts of earning, but slightly negative in contexts of wasteful spending.
Frequency
High frequency in informal business talk and media in the US. In the UK, it is common but may be perceived as an Americanism in some contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “big bucks” in a Sentence
SUBJECT + earn/make + big bucksSUBJECT + pay + big bucks + for + OBJECTOBJECT + be worth + big bucksVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big bucks” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- He's on big bucks at that new tech firm in Cambridge.
- The transfer fee involved some truly big bucks.
American English
- She made big bucks trading cryptocurrencies.
- They're offering big bucks for a quarterback in the draft.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to discuss executive salaries, merger deals, or lucrative markets.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sociological texts discussing wealth inequality or consumer culture.
Everyday
Used when discussing high salaries, expensive purchases, or lottery winnings.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big bucks”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big bucks”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big bucks”
- Using it in singular form ('a big buck' means a male deer, not money).
- Using it in overly formal contexts.
- Confusing with 'big shot' (important person).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strictly informal. Avoid it in academic writing, official reports, or formal speeches.
No. 'Big bucks' is a fixed plural phrase meaning a lot of money. 'A big buck' refers to a large male deer or, very informally, one dollar.
It derives from the use of buck (deer) skins as a unit of trade in frontier America in the 18th century.
Yes, like 'fast buck' (money earned quickly and easily, often dishonestly), 'more bang for your buck' (better value for money), and 'megabucks' (an even larger, more impressive sum).
A large amount of money.
Big bucks: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈbʌks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈbʌks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Follow the big bucks (to pursue wealth).”
- “Where the big bucks are (the most lucrative sector).”
- “Big bucks, no whammies (from a game show; means hoping for a large prize without a setback).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a large, imposing male deer (a buck) with dollar signs on its antlers. Big animal = big money.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A GAME (bucks as scoring points). WEALTH IS SIZE (big).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'big bucks' be LEAST appropriate?