give (one) a big hand
To applaud one extensively, often as a show of approval or appreciation. Let's give our special guest a big hand!
give someone a big hand
If you ask an audience to give a big hand to someone, you are asking them to clap him or her. I'm Hal Morgan and these are the Praise Him Singers from Muncie, Indiana, so let's give them a big hand. Note: You can also ask for a big hand for someone or say that someone gets a big hand. Let's have a big hand for our first act, ladies and gentlemen. Mr Wells got a big hand from most of the people present.