big gun
Top-tier heavyweight
A big gun is an important or powerful person, especially one with influence or authority in a particular field: They brought in the big guns to close the deal.
The phrase evokes artillery—heavy weaponry deployed when lighter arms won't do.
Often plural: The company's big guns flew in from headquarters.
Large mounted gun
- howitzerShort-barreled artillery piece
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
- turretProtruding fortified structure
- emplacementPrepared weapon position
battery · ordnance · siege weapon · bombardment · caliber · carriage · ballistics · trajectory
Influential industry leader
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- magnateWealthy business leader
- kingpinCriminal organization's leader
- heavyweightHighest combat weight class
powerbroker · top brass · VIP · bigwig · mover and shaker · heavy hitter · influential figure · decision maker
Large storage vessel
- battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
- warshipArmed naval vessel
- destroyerOne that ruins completely
- cruiserVehicle for extended patrol
gunboat · dreadnought · artillery piece · main battery · fire support · fire control · targeting · broadside
cannon
Large mounted gun
- howitzerShort-barreled artillery piece
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
- turretProtruding fortified structure
emplacement · battery · ordnance · siege weapon · bombardment · caliber · carriage · ballistics · trajectory · salvo
mogul
Influential industry leader
heavyweight · powerbroker · top brass · VIP · bigwig · mover and shaker · heavy hitter · influential figure · decision maker · key player
tank
Large storage vessel
- battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
- warshipArmed naval vessel
- destroyerOne that ruins completely
cruiser · gunboat · dreadnought · artillery piece · main battery · fire support · fire control · targeting · broadside · armored vehicle
- bigwigsbigwig, big wig, VIP, big kahuna, big fish
big gunnobody
Inconsequential person
small fry · lightweight · nonentity · little guy · underling
gun, guns, shotgun, handgun, gunner, big cheese, machine gun, gunnery, big shot