big cheeses
Those in charge
Big cheeses are important or influential people, especially those with power in an organization: The big cheeses from corporate are visiting next week.
The singular big cheese works the same way.
The expression is slightly dated and often carries a hint of irreverence—you're more likely to call someone a big cheese behind their back than to their face.
- kingfishLarge coastal mackerel species
- bossWorkplace superior
- rainmakerBusiness-generating executive
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- powerEnergy transfer rate
executive · mogul · magnate · mover and shaker · movers and shakers · leader · chief · kingpin · power broker · VIP · heavyweight · nibs · mastermind · matriarch · captain of industry · corner office · top dog · authority
- VIPscelebrities, superstars, head of state, stars, legend
big cheesesnobodies
Unimportant, unknown persons
little guys · small fry · peons · underlings · minions
big cheesessubordinates
Those ranked below
lackeys · flunkies · gofers · errand boys · yes-men
big, bigger, biggest, cheese, cheeses, cheesy, cheesier, cheesiest, cheesiness