big 'un

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   Something that is large, or a person who is big or grown up, spoken of in a casual, friendly way.

   Grammar: Refers to a thing or a person already mentioned: that's the big 'un over there.

   Patterns

   • the big 'un
   • a real big 'un

   Pick the small pumpkin for the table and I'll carry the big 'un.

   That fish is a proper big 'un, isn't it?

   The little ones are asleep, but the big 'un is still doing homework.

2. 2nounsingularinformal

   An important or serious event, especially a major match, deal or crisis that people have been waiting for.

   Grammar: Usually used with the: the big 'un is next Saturday.

   Patterns

   • the big 'un is coming
   • wait for the big 'un

   We've had two small earthquakes, and everyone is waiting for the big 'un.

   The cup final is the big 'un this season.

Word forms

Common combinations

a proper big 'un

He caught a proper big 'un on the last cast.

the big 'un

Save your energy for the big 'un tomorrow.

look at that big 'un

Look at that big 'un sitting on the wall.

bring out the big 'uns

The team brought out the big 'uns for the final.

Synonyms and how they differ

whopper

A whopper stresses surprising size and can also mean a big lie, while big 'un is plainer and always about size or importance.

biggie

Biggie is more American and often means an important thing, whereas big 'un sounds regional British.

large one

Large one is neutral and unmarked, with none of the warm casual feel of big 'un.

Opposites

Word family

little 'un noun

a small child or small thing, informal

young 'un noun

a child or young person, informal

big adjective

large in size or importance

Practice

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Write a sentence using “big 'un”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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