big kahuna
The main person
Big kahuna is slang for the person in charge or the most important figure in a group or organization: I need to talk to the big kahuna about this deal.
It can also describe something impressive or significant: That's the big kahuna of all home theater systems.
The phrase comes from Hawaiian, where kahuna originally meant a priest or expert.
- head honchoChief in charge
- top dogDominant leader
- bigwigInfluential, important person
- kingpinCriminal organization's leader
- bossWorkplace superior
luminary · notable · mogul · executive · main man · number one · large and in charge · president · mover and shaker · star · aloha · Hawaiian culture · top banana · maestro · mana · surf culture · CEO · chief
- bigwigsbigwig, VIP, heavy hitter, top dog, honcho
- bossesboss, bossman, manager, supervisor, foreman
- Surfingsurfboards, surfboard, longboards, shortboards, longboard
hierarchy/authority
big kahunaunderling
Person of lower rank
subordinate · peon · minion · lackey · flunky
significance/importance
big kahunanobody
Inconsequential person
nonentity · lightweight · small potatoes · bit player · cipher