big and bad

English

Adjective

big and bad (not comparable)

1. (informal, slang) Highly showy or impressive.
   • 1855, Daniel Parken, Edwin Paxton Hood, et. al. (editors), The Eclectic Review, page 643:

     The word 'aquarium' will never, we hope, be added to the masses of the big and bad, dark and dead words which disgrace the literature of the natural sciences.

   • 1868, Richard Richards, Miscellaneous Poems and Pen-and-ink Sketches, page 227:

     But I don't think she can beat the Yankees in using big and bad words; but I really wish she would go over there and try---she would find her match there, I fancy!

   • 1973, George Johnston (editor), The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw, page 24:

     'Big and bad deeds follow one another closely,' says Gisli.

   • 1997, Lisa A. Uyehara, et. al. (editors), Trauma and Memory - Clinical and Legal Controversies, page 372:

     Now you weren't so overwhelmed and frightened because you were big and bad too.