big white chief

big white chief

An important, successful, or influential person. The phrase is usually used humorously, but is potentially offensive due to its likely origin as a pseudo-Native American term. Jacob thinks he's a big white chief now that he's been promoted to assistant manager. I'm the big white chief around here, so you have to do what I say.
See also: big, chief, white
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

big white chief

a person in authority. humorous
This expression supposedly represents Native American speech, and also occurs as great white chief .
1971 Roger Busby Deadlock You'd think he was the bloody big white chief instead of an OB technician.
See also: big, chief, white
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • how the mighty are fallen
  • how the mighty have fallen
  • not (even) go there
  • not go there
  • as you do
  • believe it or not
  • bion
  • and I don't play one on TV
  • and a partridge in a pear tree
  • wonders will never cease
References in periodicals archive
Months were spent putting those huge concrete culverts the length of Mwrog Street, but the responsible organisation got its sums wrong and the floods still came along the street, while the Big White Chiefs mouthed platitudes about discussions and considerations - but not one word about the sort of action that would have rescued the poor old age pensioners from their distress.
We need action, not words