Some things in life matter more than others. When something is really big, serious, or needed, we call it important. It might be a school project, a family event, or telling the truth. People often use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about important things in a more fun or clear way.
Idioms are not meant to be taken word-for-word. They mean something different than what the words say. For example, if someone says, “This is a big deal,” they mean it’s very important, not that something is actually large. In this article, you’ll learn some common idioms that people use when they talk about important things. These idioms can help you sound more natural and express your thoughts better.
Idioms for Important
1. Big deal
Meaning: Something very important
Within a Sentence: Getting the lead role in the play was a big deal. / Finishing the test early is a big deal for me.
In Other Words: It’s a big thing. / It matters a lot.
2. Top priority
Meaning: Most important task
Within a Sentence: Homework is my top priority tonight. / The coach made safety a top priority.
In Other Words: First thing to do. / Most important.
3. Carry weight
Meaning: To be taken seriously
Within a Sentence: Her opinion carries weight with the teacher. / What Dad says always carries weight.
In Other Words: People listen to it. / It matters.
4. Make a mark
Meaning: Do something important
Within a Sentence: She made a mark by helping her class win. / He wants to make a mark at the science fair.
In Other Words: Do something big. / Get noticed.
5. A big name
Meaning: A well-known and respected person
Within a Sentence: She’s a big name in music class. / He became a big name at the school spelling bee.
In Other Words: Well-known. / Famous at school.
6. Front and center
Meaning: Most important or main focus
Within a Sentence: The star player stood front and center. / The issue was front and center at the meeting.
In Other Words: Right in focus. / Main thing.
7. A heavy hitter
Meaning: Someone very important or powerful
Within a Sentence: The mayor is a heavy hitter in town events. / She’s a heavy hitter in class projects.
In Other Words: Big helper. / Powerful person.
8. All-important
Meaning: Very important
Within a Sentence: The all-important test is next week. / This is the all-important meeting.
In Other Words: Super important. / Must do.
9. In the spotlight
Meaning: Getting a lot of attention
Within a Sentence: He was in the spotlight during the show. / Her idea put her in the spotlight.
In Other Words: Everyone is looking. / Getting noticed.
10. High on the list
Meaning: Very important among other things
Within a Sentence: Finishing the book is high on my list. / Cleaning my room is high on Mom’s list.
In Other Words: Very important. / Top thing to do.
11. Matter of importance
Meaning: Something that really matters
Within a Sentence: His health is a matter of importance. / Turning in the form is a matter of importance.
In Other Words: It’s serious. / It really counts.
12. Key player
Meaning: Someone who plays a big role
Within a Sentence: She’s a key player in our team. / He’s the key player in the school play.
In Other Words: Very needed. / Main helper.
13. Big fish
Meaning: An important person
Within a Sentence: He’s the big fish in the student council. / She’s a big fish in our club.
In Other Words: Important person. / Top of the group.
14. Worth your time
Meaning: Something important enough to do
Within a Sentence: Helping Grandma is worth your time. / This book is worth your time.
In Other Words: It matters. / It’s good to do.
15. Rise to the top
Meaning: Become most important
Within a Sentence: Her idea rose to the top. / He rose to the top during the contest.
In Other Words: Became the best. / Most noticed.
16. Not to be missed
Meaning: Very important or special
Within a Sentence: The field trip is not to be missed. / Her concert is not to be missed.
In Other Words: You should go. / It’s too important.
17. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Very valuable
Within a Sentence: Good advice is worth its weight in gold. / That old book is worth its weight in gold.
In Other Words: Very important. / Really special.
18. Top of the heap
Meaning: The best or most important
Within a Sentence: His art is top of the heap. / She is top of the heap in math.
In Other Words: Best one. / Number one.
19. Center of attention
Meaning: The person or thing everyone is focused on
Within a Sentence: The birthday girl was the center of attention. / His cool project was the center of attention.
In Other Words: Everyone looked. / All eyes on them.
20. A must-see
Meaning: Very important to watch or go to
Within a Sentence: The school play is a must-see. / That movie is a must-see.
In Other Words: Don’t miss it. / Very good.
21. Call the shots
Meaning: To be in charge or make big decisions
Within a Sentence: The teacher calls the shots in class. / Mom calls the shots at home.
In Other Words: Makes the rules. / Is the boss.
22. Hold all the cards
Meaning: To have all the power or control
Within a Sentence: He held all the cards during the game. / She held all the cards in the plan.
In Other Words: Had the power. / Was in charge.
23. Main event
Meaning: The most important part
Within a Sentence: The science fair was the main event. / Her dance was the main event of the show.
In Other Words: Biggest part. / What people came to see.
24. Matter most
Meaning: Be the most important
Within a Sentence: What matters most is being kind. / To her, family matters most.
In Other Words: Most important thing. / Biggest deal.
25. Big shoes to fill
Meaning: A very important role to take over
Within a Sentence: Taking his spot means big shoes to fill. / She had big shoes to fill after the lead actor left.
In Other Words: A lot to live up to. / It’s a big job.
26. Crown jewel
Meaning: The best or most important part
Within a Sentence: Her drawing was the crown jewel of the show. / The new building is the crown jewel of the school.
In Other Words: Best thing. / Very special part.
27. Name in lights
Meaning: Someone famous or very important
Within a Sentence: Someday she’ll have her name in lights. / He dreams of seeing his name in lights.
In Other Words: Become a star. / Be really important.
28. Big moment
Meaning: An important time
Within a Sentence: Graduation was her big moment. / The spelling bee was his big moment.
In Other Words: Special time. / Big deal.
29. Rule the roost
Meaning: To be the most important person in a place
Within a Sentence: She rules the roost at home. / He ruled the roost on the playground.
In Other Words: In charge. / Bossy or strong leader.
30. Golden opportunity
Meaning: A great chance to do something important
Within a Sentence: This job is a golden opportunity. / That was a golden opportunity to help.
In Other Words: Great chance. / Big deal.
31. Pull rank
Meaning: Use one’s important position to decide
Within a Sentence: He pulled rank to choose the team. / She pulled rank to speak first.
In Other Words: Used her place. / Made the call.
32. Take center stage
Meaning: Be the main focus
Within a Sentence: Her speech took center stage. / His song took center stage during the show.
In Other Words: Main part. / Most seen.
33. Of great value
Meaning: Very important or useful
Within a Sentence: Her help was of great value. / This lesson is of great value to us.
In Other Words: Very helpful. / Really matters.
34. The real deal
Meaning: Truly important or excellent
Within a Sentence: That coach is the real deal. / Her art is the real deal.
In Other Words: Very good. / Serious person.
35. Weighty matter
Meaning: A serious and important issue
Within a Sentence: The fight was a weighty matter. / Safety is a weighty matter at school.
In Other Words: Big issue. / Needs care.
36. Leave a legacy
Meaning: To do something important that will be remembered
Within a Sentence: She left a legacy of kindness. / He wants to leave a legacy at school.
In Other Words: Be remembered. / Do something that lasts.
37. Worth a fortune
Meaning: Very valuable
Within a Sentence: That gift is worth a fortune. / Her idea is worth a fortune.
In Other Words: Very useful. / Important.
38. Have the floor
Meaning: Have the right to speak or lead
Within a Sentence: You have the floor now. / She had the floor during the talk.
In Other Words: It’s your turn. / You lead.
39. Make headlines
Meaning: Do something very important or noticed
Within a Sentence: His act of bravery made headlines. / Their team made headlines after the win.
In Other Words: Big news. / Everyone heard.
40. Be a game changer
Meaning: Something that changes everything
Within a Sentence: That new rule was a game-changer. / Her idea was a game-changer for the project.
In Other Words: Big change. / Very important shift.
41. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control or leading
Within a Sentence: He was in the driver’s seat for the group. / She is in the driver’s seat now.
In Other Words: In charge. / Making choices.
42. Big moment
Meaning: Very special and important time
Within a Sentence: The play was her big moment. / His big moment came during the race.
In Other Words: A special time. / Big deal.
43. Take the lead
Meaning: To be the first or most important
Within a Sentence: She took the lead on the project. / He took the lead in the race.
In Other Words: Went first. / Guided others.
44. Raise the bar
Meaning: Set a higher standard
Within a Sentence: Her work raised the bar. / That score raised the bar for all of us.
In Other Words: Set a new goal. / Did better than before.
45. Noteworthy
Meaning: Worth being noticed
Within a Sentence: His kindness was noteworthy. / The win was truly noteworthy.
In Other Words: Stood out. / Important.
46. Be someone to watch
Meaning: A person who might do big things
Within a Sentence: She’s someone to watch in science. / He’s someone to watch in sports.
In Other Words: Could be great. / Has talent.
47. Voice of reason
Meaning: An important person with calm ideas
Within a Sentence: Mom was the voice of reason in the talk. / He was the voice of reason in class.
In Other Words: Spoke wisely. / Helped guide.
48. Take a stand
Meaning: Speak up for something important
Within a Sentence: She took a stand for what’s right. / He took a stand against bullying.
In Other Words: Spoke up. / Did the right thing.
49. Rock the boat (positively)
Meaning: Change something important in a good way
Within a Sentence: Her idea rocked the boat and helped. / He rocked the boat by suggesting a better way.
In Other Words: Changed things. / Helped improve.
50. Speak volumes
Meaning: Show something important without words
Within a Sentence: His actions spoke volumes. / Her look spoke volumes about how she felt.
In Other Words: Meant a lot. / Showed truth.
51. In the big leagues
Meaning: Operating at an important or top level
Within a Sentence: Her win put her in the big leagues. / He’s in the big leagues now.
In Other Words: Doing great. / Top level.
52. Main focus
Meaning: What is most looked at or cared about
Within a Sentence: The main focus was safety. / Our main focus is learning.
In Other Words: Biggest part. / What matters most.
53. Raise eyebrows
Meaning: Get important attention
Within a Sentence: Her idea raised eyebrows in class. / That rule raised eyebrows at school.
In Other Words: Got attention. / Surprised people.
54. Make your mark
Meaning: Do something that will be remembered
Within a Sentence: He made his mark on the team. / She wants to make her mark in music.
In Other Words: Do something special. / Be remembered.
55. Pack a punch
Meaning: Have strong meaning or effect
Within a Sentence: His short speech packed a punch. / That small gift packed a punch of love.
In Other Words: Was strong. / Made a big impact.
56. Leave a strong impression
Meaning: Be remembered for something important
Within a Sentence: Her words left a strong impression. / His kindness left a strong impression on me.
In Other Words: Won’t be forgotten. / Important memory.
57. Of note
Meaning: Worth paying attention to
Within a Sentence: That fact is of note. / Her win is of note to the team.
In Other Words: Should notice. / Important.
58. Set the tone
Meaning: Decide the way things will go
Within a Sentence: She set the tone for the day with her smile. / His speech set the tone for the event.
In Other Words: Guided the mood. / Started it off.
59. Change the game
Meaning: Do something that changes everything
Within a Sentence: That new rule changed the game. / Her smart move changed the game.
In Other Words: Big change. / Important action.
60. Walk the talk
Meaning: Do what you say, showing importance
Within a Sentence: He walks the talk by helping others. / She walks the talk with her work.
In Other Words: Shows it with action. / Lives by it.
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Important
- Saying something is a “big deal” means it’s not very important.
True / False - If a task is a “top priority,” it should be done first.
True / False - When someone “carries weight,” their words are not taken seriously.
True / False - “In the spotlight” means nobody notices you.
True / False - If someone is a “heavy hitter,” they are an important person.
True / False - “Leave a legacy” means doing something that people will remember.
True / False - A “golden opportunity” is not worth your time.
True / False - If a student is the “main focus,” they are the least important in the group.
True / False - Saying a rule is a “game changer” means it had no effect at all.
True / False - If you “make your mark,” it means you did something important.
True / False - “Worth its weight in gold” means something is very valuable.
True / False - When someone “rules the roost,” they are usually in charge.
True / False - “Take the lead” means following others.
True / False - A “must-see” is something you probably don’t want to miss.
True / False - Being “in the driver’s seat” means someone else is leading.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Topics Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get the Topics, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Topics together!
Conclusion
Many things in life are important. We use idioms to talk about them in fun and clear ways. Instead of saying something is just “big” or “serious,” we can say it’s a “big deal” or a “golden opportunity.” These phrases help others understand how much something matters.
Now that you’ve learned these idioms, try using them when you speak or write. Whether you’re in school, at home, or with friends, these sayings can help you explain what really counts. Keep learning new idioms, they make your words stronger and more interesting.
