Meaning of big if | Babel Free

Definitions

An unlikely but necessary condition.

Examples

“"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, 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—"”

CEFR level