A Big Do-Re-Me

/ə bɪɡ ˌdoʊ reɪ ˈmiː/ noun phrase

Definition: An over the top, extravagant party. Not tacky; just no expense spared.

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Etymology

From the musical solfège syllables do-re-mi, which served as mid-20th-century American slang for “money” (rhyming with “dough”). The term “big” signifies the scale of the expenditure.

Usage

In a sentence: The charity gala was a big do-re-mi, with vintage champagne and a private orchestra.

Context: Used to describe an event that is expensive and polished rather than gaudy or ostentatious. It implies a high level of taste paired with a significant budget.