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big name director

big name director

1 4.0
A famous director who makes films, TV shows, or plays
  • noun
translation icon : director famoso
  • They have to get a distinctive or big-name director for Ep. 7 at least.

Examples

  • The big-name directors would jump at that in a second.

    Blog text (15)
  • More than any random big-name director that's done project X, who would only be on for one movie.

    Blog text (18)
  • The film received praise for being directed by a big name director who is known for his innovative storytelling.

  • Hiring a big name director can attract more viewers and boost the film's box office performance.

  • She was excited to work with a big name director on her first movie project.

Synonyms

big shot
vsbig name director
  • Informal
91 3.9

A person who is important and powerful in a job or field

is a famous figure in film television or theater not just influential
big name
vsbig name director
43 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

is famous specifically in film television or theater rather than any field
bigwig
vsbig name director
  • Informal
22 6.9

An important person with power in a company or group

is famous in film television or theater but not necessarily powerful in organizations

How Influential

big name director
1 4.0
indie
  • Informal
30 6.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

big + name + director

The phrase 'big name director' is compositionally clear: 'big' (important/prominent) + 'name' (reputation/recognition) yields the collocational sense 'well-known', and 'director' is literal. This pattern (someone having a 'big name' meaning famous) is a straightforward semantic combination and is broadly recognizable across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Big name director comes from movie posters and credits where a director's name is printed in big letters so people notice it. That's why the phrase means a 'famous' or 'well-known' director.