high roller
high roller — noun
1. a person who places very big bets when gambling, especially at a casino
a person who places very big bets when gambling, especially at a casino
The casino gave Selim a free suite because he was a famous high roller.
noun complement: was a famous high roller
High rollers at the Macau tables often bet thousands of dollars on a single hand.
plural subject: high rollers + bet + sum
Only high rollers are allowed into the private gaming room upstairs.
The hotel treats high rollers to free meals, flights, and luxury suites.
Mateo lost his whole month's salary at the casino, gambling like a high roller.
- whale
stronger casino slang for an extremely big-stakes gambler
- gambler
neutral general word; says nothing about the size of the bets
- big bettor
plain descriptive phrase, less idiomatic than high roller
- low roller
informal opposite — a gambler who risks only small amounts
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (LAVISH SPENDER): a heavy gambler bets large amounts to win money, while a lavish spender simply spends freely on luxury. Casinos use the gambling sense to mean a valued, big-betting customer.
常見錯誤
2. someone who enjoys spending freely on luxury goods, lavish parties, and a showy
someone who enjoys spending freely on luxury goods, lavish parties, and a showy lifestyle
Christopher acts like a high roller, buying rounds of drinks for the entire bar.
act like a high roller — extravagant spending
The new lottery winner became a high roller, spending money on cars and parties.
High rollers fill the designer boutiques on Fifth Avenue every weekend.
Shanti enjoys playing the high roller, tipping waiters generously at expensive restaurants.
Even on a small salary, Theo lives like a high roller every payday.
- big spender
very close synonym, slightly more neutral in tone
- spendthrift
more negative; stresses wasteful, careless spending
- penny-pincher
someone who avoids spending money whenever possible
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (HEAVY GAMBLER): this sense covers free spending on luxury and fun in general, with no link to betting. Often used with 'act like', 'play', or 'live like'.