play a big part

play a big part (in something)

To have an extremely important or fundamental role (in some resultant situation, action, event, outcome, etc.). There were a lot of reason why I quit, but having to work 10 hours a day played a big part. Punk rock played a big part in forming my aesthetic sensibilities. The rookie quarterback ended up playing a big part in the team's amazing comeback victory yesterday.
See also: big, part, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play a big part (in something)

 and play a large part (in something)
Fig. to serve as a major part of some situation or event. The incredible amount of duplicative paperwork played a large part in my decision to find employment elsewhere.
See also: big, part, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • play a big part (in something)
  • play a big role (in something)
  • raison
  • raison d'être
  • être
  • his, your, etc. raison d'être
  • part and parcel
  • be part and parcel of
  • be part and parcel of (something)
  • be part and parcel of something
References in periodicals archive
"Body language can play a big part in a 35-pitch inning," Roark said.