big guns

Noun

big gun (plural big guns)

1. A large artillery gun or one of the largest-caliber naval guns (as on a battleship).
   • London, Nov. 1: The big guns opened fire on Paris today at mid-day.1870 December 2, “The Suez Mail”, in Southland Times, number 1342, New Zealand, page 2

   Synonyms:

   great gun

2. (broadly, idiomatic, in plural) A person, group, thing, or course of action that is powerful, influential, or particularly effective.
   • This has been a great day for the big guns. This does not refer to Prof. Lummis and the other big guns of the Board of Visitors, for every day is a great one for them.1888 June 6, “A Great Day for Big Guns”, in New York Times, retrieved 20 Aug 2011

   Synonyms:

   big shot, bigwig, baron, big cheese, big enchilada, big kahuna, big man, big name, big noise, big wheel

3. A large surfboard used to ride very large, powerful waves.
   • Special boards are used called "big guns."1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer