big brother

• Término que denota un gobierno o autoridad todopoderosa, intrusiva y controladora que vigila las acciones y pensamientos de los ciudadanos, originario de la novela 1984 de George Orwell. También puede significar literalmente un hermano mayor.

A term referring to an all-powerful, intrusive, and controlling government or authority that monitors citizens' actions and thoughts, originating from George Orwell's novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'. It can also refer to an older male sibling in a literal sense.

1. Older male siblingA1formal

   A male sibling who is older than the speaker.

   Hermano mayor

   • My big brother taught me how to ride a bike.
   • She looks up to her big brother for advice.
   • His big brother is two years older than him.

2. Surveillance stateB2formal

   A person or organization representing a government or authority that invades privacy and exercises oppressive control, often through surveillance.

   Gran Hermano

   • The novel '1984' warns against a society ruled by Big Brother.
   • Many people fear that government surveillance is turning us into a Big Brother state.
   • The concept of Big Brother is often used to criticize excessive monitoring.