Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun Slang.
- an important or impressive person or thing: to make a big deal out of nothing; I hear he’s a big deal on Wall Street now.
- (used ironically as an interjection to indicate that one considers something to be unimportant or unimpressive): So you’re the mayor’s cousin—big deal!
interjection
- slang an exclamation of scorn, derision, etc, used esp to belittle a claim or offer
from mid-19c. in poker or business; as an ironic expression, popular in American English from c.1965, perhaps a translated Yiddishism (cf. a groyser kunst).
A matter of great interest or importance, as in Performing in Symphony Hall is a big deal for everyone in the chorus. [c. 1940] Also see under make a federal case out of.
So what? Who cares? For example, So you got the job after all—well, big deal! This use of the phrase as an ironic interjection dates from approximately the same time.