big end of town
- noun
- UK
:
alta sociedad
- Only the big end of town was invited to the gala fundraiser.
Examples
-
The big end of town often influences local policies.
-
The government is accused of favoring the big end of town with its new tax laws.
-
Her company targets services specifically for the big end of town.
-
Many decisions are made by the big end of town.
-
Many decisions are influenced by the big end of town, which often prioritizes profit over community welfare.
-
The mayor met with the big end of town to discuss the new development project in the city.
-
During the conference, several speakers represented the big end of town, advocating for policies favoring large corporations.
Synonyms
166
1.3
People who have a lot of money and property
111
5.8
Rich, fashionable people with social influence
71
3.3
Large, powerful companies that influence society and politics
10
3.8
People who have far more money than most others
9
4.2
A group of rich, fashionable people with social influence
5
6.8
A small group of the richest and most important people in society
Antonyms
- Specialized
19
5.5
A group of people at the bottom of society who are poor and have few chances to improve their lives
How Influential
15
3.4
- UK
236
5.3
9
5.0
52
2.5
48
2.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituents give partial clues — 'big' (important) plus 'end of town' (a part or district of the town) can suggest a 'top' or important area. However, interpreting this as 'the wealthy or influential people' is a pragmatic, socio-cultural extension rather than a straightforward compositional meaning, so a B1 learner knowing the words would not reliably infer the group's social status without prior exposure.
Etymology
The idiom big end of town comes from the image of the big end of a town, the part with large shops, big houses and important offices where rich people meet. So it means 'the wealthy and powerful people'.