big bang
2
3.4
- noun
- /bɪɡ bæŋ/
:
estallido
- This one, however, had its big bang in the early 1970s, in Chile.
With a bang like a real bang, like a Big Bang, like a Big Bang Theory.
- With a bang like a real bang, like a Big Bang, like a Big Bang Theory.
Examples
-
An American airplane dropped a Big Bang boom on Hiroshima.
-
With a bang like a real bang, like a Big Bang, like a Big Bang Theory.
-
Well, it was running smoothly and then there was just this big bang and it sort of petered out.
-
It's now instantly shorting and boom, that lovely Big Bang that we heard earlier where I had to change my trousers.
-
Gangs all here for a Big Bang with some sweaty leather and wet balls.
-
As I was walking, I suddenly heard a big bang that startled everyone nearby.
-
The firework display culminated in a big bang, filling the sky with bright colors.
-
The old engine made a big bang before it finally broke down on the highway.
Synonyms
∞
2.8
A sudden violent burst that makes a loud noise and causes damage
237
1.3
A sudden loud noise from a hit or impact
195
2.1
A long deep loud noise like thunder or a cannon
108
8.4
A sudden very loud noise, like an explosion or a slammed door
78
5.8
A sudden loud noise like the bang of a gun
27
2.7
A sudden very loud noise that hurts your ears
10
1.2
A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash
8
4.5
A loud, explosive sound made when something like a plane goes faster than sound
7
7.6
A loud, deep sound like an explosion or fireworks
2
8.9
A sudden loud noise like a gunshot or explosion
1
4.1
A sudden loud burst of noise such as applause
A very sudden powerful blast that breaks things and makes loud noise
A sudden series of very loud bangs like explosions
Antonyms
How Loud
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a loud, sudden explosion or noise' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'big' (large/intense) with 'bang' (a sharp sudden noise), so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer this sense. The adjective+noun composition is a common, cross-linguistically predictable pattern (note: the cosmological proper noun 'Big Bang' is a separate usage but does not affect the transparency of the literal noise sense).
Etymology
Big bang paints the picture of a big bang—a very loud, sudden noise like an explosion—so we use it to mean 'a loud, sudden explosion'.