campus

big man on campus

A very well-known and influential male student, usually in college. The phrase can be used derisively, especially when aimed at someone deemed conceited. All the girls swooned as the big man on campus walked by on his way to football practice. Jake acts as if he's the big man on campus, but none of the popular kids actually know who he is. We'll definitely get into this party if we're with the big man on campus!
See also: big, campus, man, on

big woman on campus

A very well-known and influential female student, usually in college. The phrase can be used derisively, especially when aimed at someone deemed conceited. All the guys turned to look as the big woman on campus walked by on her way to the library. Jill acts as if she's the big woman on campus, but none of the popular kids actually know who she is. We'll definitely get into this party if we're with the big woman on campus!
See also: big, campus, on, woman

off campus

Outside of a university's or college's campus. Hyphenated if used before a noun. I liked living in the dorm rooms for my first semester of college, but I'm looking forward to living off campus for a while. The only bank we can is used is about 15 miles off campus.
See also: campus, off

on campus

On the grounds of a university's or college's campus. Hyphenated if used before a noun. I thought living in the dorms would be fun, but I really didn't like living on campus. The university boasts a huge range of on-campus services and amenities.
See also: campus, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

big man on campus

Sl. an important male college student. (Often derisive or jocular.) Hank acts like such a big man on campus. Let some big man on campus do the dirty work for a change.
See also: big, campus, man, on

*off campus

not located or present on the grounds of a college or university. (*Typically: be ~; live ~; move~.) Tom has an apartment off campus. The dean is off campus and cannot be reached.
See also: campus, off

on campus

located or being on the grounds of a college or university. Do you live on campus or off campus? I don't think that Lisa is on campus right now.
See also: campus, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

big man on campus

n. an important male college student. (See more examples at BMOC.) Hank acts like such a big man on campus!
See also: big, campus, man, on

big woman on campus

n. an important female college student. (See more examples at BWOC.) Helen acts like such a big woman on campus!
See also: big, campus, on, woman
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • big man on campus
  • big woman on campus
  • BMOC
  • BWOC
  • made in China
  • better luck next time
  • flyover
  • flyover country
  • flyover states
  • dancer
References in periodicals archive
Vice chancellor Dr Idrees Khan said the Hazara University's Battagram campus was established under the government's 2025 vision to provide higher education facility to the students.
In the heart of campus, groups of students stroll from newly constructed housing to renovated classroom and administration buildings while passing though the picturesque South Quad with its commanding views of the Santa Monica Mountains (figures 3 and 4).
Opponents argue, however, that additional guns would not deter rare, large-scale campus shootings, could stifle academic debate for fear of retaliation and could cause more accidental shootings.
The Washington campus features majestic views, rolling hills, tranquil lakes, and historic landmarks.
"This relocation is impressive in that it will serve as an eye-opener for other major corporations to maximize collaborative opportunities on campus," Drohan said.
The campus did end up turning to the library for assistance, making an instruction librarian the chair of the information management committee.
The Catholic campus ministry at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, for instance, holds a welcome reception before the first Mass of the school year to give returning students, faculty, and staff a chance to meet incoming students.
After Meyer fashioned a map/field guide for all campus trees, Krueger encouraged Meyer and Grier to produce a book.
Allowed once only during April on high-school campus.
Five years ago, Norfolk State University's campus was partially wired with 10-megabit cabling.
This is not to say that Campus hasn't already also explored video's inherent relationship to duration and process.
On today's college campus, there is a great need for Christians to rediscover and renew that heritage of hospitality.
According to Ricardo Morales, the school's crime prevention specialist since 1983, nonstudent radicals wouldn't make it into the campus buildings.
To interest students in this type of work, IRS agents have spoken to on campus accounting societies in general terms, censoring the confidential stories that students would probably find most exciting about IRS employment.
Facilities Chairs: Andrew Cooperstock, NCTM, University of Colorado at Boulder, College of Music, Campus Box 301, Boulder, CO 80309-0301; (303) 492-3300; cooperstock@colorado.edu