On his internment during WWII, P. G. Wodehouse commented: "The chief drawback is that it means your being away from home a big deal."

Striking. Because, I think, he's slightly stretching the use of the phrase. He's not away often. He's away for a long time.

But could the witticism strictly be true? Could you be away from home "a big deal" in one stretch? Or does it necessarily indicate a habit?