Definition
A boss, leader, chieftain, or top-ranking person in an organization.
Origins
Borrowed from Hawaiian word kahuna (“a shaman or wizard”).
In Context
- "You'll have to talk with the big kahuna to get a decision on that."
Also Said As
- important person
- big cheese
- big enchilada
- bigwig
- big wheel
- grand poobah
- head honcho
- kingpin
- muckety muck
- top banana
- top dog