big-wig/ hang in/ at a complete loss

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Here are a few sentences from different English texts. Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold?

“Shirley: ‘It's astonishing to see how many of these Hollywood big-wigs are trying to undermine President Bush.’"

big wig = VIP (a very important person)

“Shirley on the end of her marriage to Jack Cassidy: "Jack had a breakdown. A real mental breakdown. He was manic depressive. But he was the one that wanted the divorce. He thought it was better for me and the kids. I never did. I would have hung in there. I felt in many ways he was acting strangely and doing strange things and he felt perhaps it was better for all of us.”

hang in = remain hopeful, not lose heart, perverse (in)

"Greg was at a complete loss as to the previous night's events.”

be at complete loss = be puzzled, be bewildered, be perplexed

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

[David L.]

big wig = VIP (a very important person)

Yes - but usually within a particular sphere. So - someone may be a bigwig Hollywood producer wielding a lot of power and influence, yet outside the industry, few people would know his name.

hang in there : more, to remain persistent and determined in difficult circumstances - to keep going despite how hard the going is.

be at complete loss = be puzzled, be bewildered, be perplexed
Yes - mystified to the extent that the person doesn't know what to think, say, or do.