big shot

an important or influential person.

Origin of big shot

First recorded in 1905–10

These are very good times indeed to be a big-shot financier.

Wall Street CEOs Say It’s The Best of Times and The Worst of Times |Daniel Gross |November 12, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
But this other big-shot political donor archetype will nonetheless survive.

The GOP's Dirty Sexy Money |Conor Friedersdorf |March 29, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Even as a big-shot CEO, Karmazin had the bluntness you might expect from his roots as the son of a taxi driver.

Sirius Radio Crashes to Earth |Alan Deutschman |May 31, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
I point out Jesse Jackson behind this California big-shot, and as she turns around he smiles and greets her by name.

The Daily Beast D.C. Diary |The Daily Beast |January 19, 2009 |DAILY BEAST

Somebody kicked Fanshaw—the Jolly Lad big-shot—in the belly.

The Planet Strappers |Raymond Zinke Gallun
It must be kind of a pain in the ass to be a big-shot investigative reporter.

Little Brother |Cory Doctorow

big shot

informal an important or influential person

big shot

see under big cheese.