what's the big idea

phrase

Used to express surprise or dissatisfaction with an action or statement of another person, especially to that person.

“I heard you been chatting up my girl. What's the big idea?”

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Meanings

phrasewhat's the big idea?
  1. UScolloquialoften preceded by heyUsed to express surprise or dissatisfaction with an action or statement of another person, especially to that person.

    I heard you been chatting up my girl. What's the big idea?

    1 more example

    Hey, what's the big idea, you telling everybody I'd left town?

Cite this entry
APA

what's the big idea. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20the%20big%20idea

MLA

“what's the big idea.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20the%20big%20idea. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “what's the big idea,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20the%20big%20idea.

Source: what's the big idea on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.