big noise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal
Quick answer
What does “big noise” mean?
an important, powerful, or influential person, often one who boasts or draws attention to themselves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
an important, powerful, or influential person, often one who boasts or draws attention to themselves.
An event or piece of news that is sensational or attracts a lot of attention; a significant commotion or fuss.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'big noise' identically for an important person. In extended meaning, the UK may use 'big noise' for a literal loud sound more readily.
Connotations
Slight negative connotation is common in both varieties. In US, it can be used more specifically in business contexts for a major player.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Possibly slightly more common in older, journalistic UK slang. 'Big shot', 'big cheese', 'big wig' are more common equivalents in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “big noise” in a Sentence
He is a big noise in (industry/field).They made a big noise about (the issue/their success).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big noise” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He's a big-noise investor in the tech scene.
- She's a big-noise columnist for the paper.
American English
- He's a big-noise executive at a Wall Street firm.
- She's a big-noise lobbyist in Washington.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a major executive, investor, or deal-maker.
Academic
Rare. Could be used metaphorically for a leading scholar or a major academic controversy.
Everyday
Used to describe a locally important or boastful person.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big noise”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big noise”
- Using 'big noise' to literally mean 'a loud sound' in contexts where the idiom is expected.
- Confusing 'big noise' (person) with 'big mouth' (someone who talks too much).
- Using in overly formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not usually. It often implies the person is self-important or their status is exaggerated, though it can be used neutrally in contexts like 'a big noise in finance'.
Yes, less commonly. It can refer to a major piece of news, a scandal, or a significant fuss (e.g., 'The merger caused a big noise in the press').
They are very close synonyms. 'Big shot' is more common in American English and can sometimes sound slightly more dated or cinematic. 'Big noise' has a slightly stronger connotation of being boastful or making a fuss.
It is informal/slang. It is not appropriate for academic writing or formal reports. Use 'influential figure', 'key player', or 'prominent individual' in formal contexts.
an important, powerful, or influential person, often one who boasts or draws attention to themselves.
Big noise: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈnɔɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈnɔɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a big noise in the city.”
- “They made a big noise about the new policy.”
- “All that big noise and nothing changed.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a very important person (VIP) who is so loud and boastful that they make a 'big noise' wherever they go.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE/STATUS IS VOLUME (A loud noise commands attention; an important person 'makes noise' or is metaphorically 'loud').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'big noise' MOST LIKELY be used appropriately?