By integrating literature reviews, site observation, field monitoring, theoretical analysis, summarization, etc., a construction strategy was proposed and verified for tunneling with big deformation in this paper. The tunnel was in phyllite, shotcrete cracks and steel arch distortion were observed, and a big deformation with a maximum of 2.0 m was monitored during the initial stage of the construction. Through carefully examining the site observation and laboratory test results, a construction principle was established for the tunneling on the basic concept of maintaining the rock strength/stiffness and keeping the rock dry, by providing confinement pressure to the rock, reducing the rock exposure time, keeping water out of the tunnel, etc. To achieve the construction principle, a set of specific construction measures with 11 items was further proposed and applied to the construction. To check the effectiveness of the construction measures, field monitoring was carried out, which showed that the rock deformation was well controlled and the tunnel became stable. An allowable deformation was then determined using the Fenner formulae and the monitored data in order to guide further construction, which received a good result. From this study, it can be concluded that providing quick strong initial support and reserving core soil at the working face are extremely important to control the rock deformation and keep the tunnel stable. By integrating literature reviews, site observation, field monitoring, theoretical analysis, summarization, etc., a construction strategy was proposed and verified for tunneling with big deformation in this paper. The tunnel was in phyllite, shotcrete cracks and steel arch distortion were observed, and a big deformation with a maximum of 2.0 m was monitored during the initial stage of the construction. The careful inspection of the site observation and laboratory test results, a construction principle was established for the tunneling on the basic concept of maintaining the rock strength / stiffness and keeping the rock dry, by providing confinement pressure to the rock, reducing the rock exposure time, keeping water out of the tunnel, etc. To achieve the construction principle, a set of specific construction measures with 11 items was further proposed and applied to the construction. To check the effectiveness of the construction measures, field monitoring was carried out, which showe d that the rock deformation was well controlled and the tunnel became stable. An allowable deformation was then determined using the Fenner formulae and the monitored data in order to guide further construction, which received a good result. providing quick strong initial support and reserving core soil at the working face are extremely important to control the rock deformation and keep the tunnel stable.