English

Noun

big enchilada ‎(plural big enchiladas)

1. (idiomatic) A very important person, especially the highest-ranking individual in an organization.

   The detectives were trying to identify the big enchilada who controlled the entire criminal network.

2. (idiomatic) Some item of high value, especially a top prize or reward.

   When the lottery results were announced, he was stunned to learn that the big enchilada was all his.

Synonyms

• (very important person): big cheese, big kahuna, bigwig, big wheel, grand poobah, head honcho, kingpin, muckety muck, top banana, top dog
• (item of high value, top prize): brass ring