good deal

English

Noun

good deal (plural good deals)

1. (idiomatic, usually singular, often with indefinite article) Large number, amount, or extent.

   He made a good deal of trouble for us.

   We have a good deal of territory to cover.

   The audience is generally unaware of the good deal of work that goes into its creation.

   • 1838, Edgar Allan Poe, How to Write a Blackwood Article:

     You may make a good deal of that little fact if properly worked.

   • 1825-29, Mahadev Desai (translator), M.K. Gandhi, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Part I, chapter xvi^[1]:

     A friend suggested that, if I really wanted to have the satisfaction of taking a difficult examination, I should pass the London Matriculation. It meant a good deal of labour and much addition to my stock of general knowledge, without any extra expense worth the name. I welcomed the suggestion. But the syllabus frightened me. Latin and a modern language were compulsory!

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see good,‎ deal.

   I can offer you a good deal on that van.

   There are plenty of good deals on flights.

See also

• a good deal
• great deal

Interjection

good deal

1. (Should we delete⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (informal) Used to affirm, indicate agreement, or consent.

   You got everything packed? Good deal!

Usage notes

• Primarily used in the Southern United States.