💥 A loud noise 🔨 To hit loudly 🍑 To have sex 🏆 A big success 💇 Front hair ⚡ A thrill 🎯 Directly, exactly ❗ Exclamation mark

bang

52 4.4

An event that is very successful and impressive

noun
/bæŋ/

: gran éxito

You guys started off with an absolute bang last year and unfortunately fell off at the end.
a big bang

You guys started off with an absolute bang last year and unfortunately fell off at the end.

Examples

The night started out with a bang.

Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
Then we'll give them a bang-up job; our boys know how to do that. That's why they're the best.

Fiction book (2002)
And believe this, we're going out with a bang, baby.

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Let's start things off with a bang, shall we?

Epic Movie (2007)
This is your big production number, and you know it's important to go out with a big bang.

The Mask (1994)
And while I'm joining in from my home like you are from yours, I am super looking forward to finishing off this singalong jam with a bang!

The Disney Family Singalong (2020)
The concert was a huge success, starting off with a bang that left the audience cheering.
Their wedding was celebrated with a bang, featuring fireworks and live music throughout the night.
The film festival opened with a bang, showcasing award-winning films that captivated all the guests.

Synonyms

hit

vsbang

654 1.3

Something very popular and successful, like a song or show

is focused on an impressive event or performance rather than general fame

big hit

vsbang

76 2.7

Something that many people like or buy, especially in one group

is about an impressive event or performance without limiting the audience

strike

vsbang

40 4.1

A sudden success that gets a lot of attention

is the general idea of an impressive event without stressing public impact

smash

vsbang

31 3.9

A very popular success, often a film or song

is a general impressive event or performance beyond just entertainment

huge hit

vsbang

21 2.8

A product, show or event that is very successful and liked by many people

covers impressive events or performances more generally, not only extreme popularity

smash hit

vsbang

10 3.4

A very popular film, song, or book that many people enjoy

is the broader idea of an impressive event or performance

smasher

vsbang

Archaic

1 6.5

A very big success, like a popular film

applies more broadly to events or performances rather than individual fame

bell ringer

vsbang

Informal

1 7.0

A very successful result that does exactly what it should

focuses on general impressiveness rather than precise goal achievement

whale of a show

vsbang

Informal

1 6.4

A very good performance or event that impresses many people

is similar but used for any notable successful event or performance

smackeroo

vsbang

Informal

1 9.9

A very successful event or product that people praise

is neutral and describes an impressive event or performance in plain terms

dynamite performance

vsbang

Informal

1 4.6

A very impressive show that excites the audience

is broader, applying to any impressive event or success not only performances

bang-up performance

vsbang

Informal

5.5

A great performance that impresses people

is a general label for any very successful or impressive event

bumper success

vsbang

3.7

A very large win that brings much money or attention

is about being impressive rather than stressing unusually large scale

Antonyms

failure

710 1.3

Not reaching what was planned or expected

disappointment

155 1.6

An event, action, or situation that makes someone feel let down

Idioms

with a bang

Informal

37 5.1

In an exciting way that attracts a lot of attention

to go out with a bang

Informal

14 6.0

End something in a memorable and exciting way

bang for the buck

7 4.4

A good value for the money you spend

bang on

5 7.4

Exactly right for a situation or need

to end with a bang

Informal

3 4.6

To finish in an exciting and memorable way

bang to rights

Informal

1 9.9

Caught in the act with clear proof

to bang some heads together

Informal

1 8.6

To make people work together by firmly telling them to stop arguing

slam-bang

Informal

1 8.6

In a sudden, loud, and forceful way

to bang one's head against a brick wall

Informal

8.2

To try many times to do something without success and feel frustrated

Compounds

big bang

Specialized

51 4.6

The moment when the universe begins to expand

big bang

35 3.4

A loud sudden noise like an explosion

bang-up job

Informal

15 4.2

A piece of work that is done very well

Big Bang theory

Specialized

6 4.1

An idea that the universe began when a hot, very dense point expanded quickly

a loud bang

6 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

slam-bang

Informal

1 8.1

Full of sudden, loud action and fast movement

big-bang theory

Specialized

1 3.7

A scientific idea that the universe began in a huge explosion from one tiny hot point and is still expanding

bang-up performance

Informal

5.5

A great performance that impresses people

bang-up plan

Informal

6.5

A very good plan that impresses people

How Successful

smash hit

10 3.4

blockbuster

80 2.6

bang

52 4.4

hit

654 1.3

success

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

bang singular

bangs plural

Etymology

Bang for a very successful or impressive event comes from the loud noise of a big start or finish, so to begin 'with a bang' is to start in a strong, noticeable way.