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Definition 2024


big_if

big if

English

Noun

big if (plural big ifs)

  1. An unlikely but necessary condition.
    • 1868 Montgomery Schuyler, The Pioneer Church: Or, The Story of a New Parish in the West (Boston: Riverside Press, 1868), p. 2:
      "If I were only old enough," said Kate, "and knew enough to teach a day-school, I would begin at once and save half of my money [...]."
      "Oh!" Edward replied, "there's a big if in the way."
    • 2004, Dale Brown, Dreamland: Strike Zone, HarperCollins, ISBN 0060502835, page 217,
      "If they believe us," said the admiral, "and that's a big if, then we're in a race with them to find this thing. Because if they grab it—"