big bucks
61
4.2
- noun
- Informal
:
dineral
- And that's why you earn the big bucks.
- spend big bucks
This is why I want the big bucks, because pay me the big bucks.
- This is why I want the big bucks, because pay me the big bucks.
- It can, and that's why I'm giving you the big bucks.
- You know when you're the king, you make the big bucks.
- You are earning money, you're earning the big bucks.
- But Harry Potter stuff, that's where I splurge and I spend the big bucks.
- We're going to make these plots of land not lose money, but we're not going to try to generate big bucks off them.
- It's just about what's going to bring the bucks and big bucks because that's what Hollywood's all about and Hollywood needs proof.
- No, no, they don't pay us the big bucks to sit around and and and chat wistfully about the weekends.
- He got his masters and now he works in an investment bank now so he doesn't makes the big bucks.
Examples
-
Many talented individuals are drawn to the tech industry because of the big bucks it offers.
-
Think twice about spending big bucks for aftermarket equipment for your car.
Blog text (2) -
This is why I get paid the big bucks, baby.
-
- Hey, there are some big bucks to be made, my friend.
-
"There are ten construction workers doing nothing but, no doubt, getting paid big bucks."
Fiction book (1993) -
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is spending big bucks to influence.
Academic text (2002) -
Last year, they finally decided to invest big bucks in a Super Bowl ad spot.
Blog text (16) -
Abuse costs institutions big bucks and reduces the overall quality of patient care.
Academic text (2001) -
Her mom makes big bucks writing self-help books for women.
Fiction book (1995) -
For example, one engineering company that Thomke profiled in his book spent big bucks on high-end digital simulation technology.
Academic text (2005)
Synonyms
604
1.0
A large amount of money that lets you buy expensive things or do big projects
84
2.0
A large amount of money, especially as earnings or profit
68
2.8
A very large amount of money
37
4.4
A large amount of money
32
7.1
A large amount of money
17
3.3
A large amount of money that is more than you expect
11
7.0
A large amount of money that is higher than expected
5
3.0
A lot of money
2
6.1
A very large amount of money often about one million dollars
1
7.4
A very large amount of money
A very large amount of money
Antonyms
How Much
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a large amount of money' is directly compositional from 'big' (large) + 'bucks' (dollars); a learner who knows both words can infer that 'big bucks' means a lot of money. This is a common, literal-seeming collocation with clear cross-linguistic equivalents (e.g., 'mucho dinero'/'beaucoup d'argent'), so it is immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.
Etymology
The phrase big bucks may come from the old use of buck to mean a dollar. One popular story says people once used deer skins called 'bucks' in trade, so having many 'bucks' gave the picture of a lot of value and that's why big bucks now means 'a large amount of money'.