with a capital (some letter)

with a capital (some letter)

1. In the most extreme form or degree. I am hungry with a capital H! Let's eat! No, it's not an emergency with a capital E. I can wait until the end of the day.
2. In the most typical, formal, or traditional form. When he talks about photography, he means with a capital P. He would never think to consider pictures taken on smartphones. Well, it's not literature with a capital L, but it's still a good story.
See also: capital
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

with a capital A/B/C, etc.

COMMON
1. You say with a capital A/B/C, etc. to mean that something has a particular quality to a great extent. You mark my words, that man's Trouble with a capital `T'.
2. You say with a capital A/B/C, etc. to mean that a particular idea or concept is being understood in only the strictest sense. The British tend to see things in terms of principles with a capital P. This is art with a capital A. Note: This sense is often used slightly disapprovingly, to suggest that someone is taking something too seriously.
See also: capital
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

with a capital —

used to give emphasis to the word or concept in question.
1991 Nesta Wyn Ellis John Major He is not a personality with a capital P, not flamboyant, not it seems an angry man.
See also: capital
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

with a capital ˈA, ˈB, ˈC, etc.

used to emphasize that a word has a stronger meaning in a particular situation; very: When I say he’s boring, I mean boring with a capital B!
See also: capital
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • with a capital
  • with a capital A, B, C, etc.
  • with a capital A/B/C, etc.
  • make capital of/out of something
  • make capital out of
  • make capital out of (something)
  • capital
  • go hungry
  • I could eat a horse!
  • could eat a horse