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big man on campus

NOUN
big shot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bigwig dignitary heavyweight mogul
WEAK
VIP big cat big cheese big fish big gun big kahuna big wheel celebrity fat cat head honcho heavy-hitter high man on the totem pole high-muck-a-muck important person influential person muck-a-muck nabob notability notable personage somebody someone star wheeler-dealer
NOUN
big wheel
Synonyms
WEAK
VIP big cat big cheese big fish big gun big shot bigwig dignitary fat cat head honcho heavy-hitter high-muck-a-muck important person influential person mogul nabob notable somebody

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He developed into an all-conference post player who Arnold remembered becoming literally a big man on campus known for a large circle of friends.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2021

If you’re asking, you’ve clearly been playing hooky when it comes to Netflix’s new original-movie empire aimed at teens, a genre in which Centineo is the big man on campus.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2019

Iran’s military boss, Qasem Suleimani, thinks he’s a big man on campus.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2018

HA: Oh, he was big man on campus.

From Time • Aug. 22, 2014

Plus, I was finally a big man on campus.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan