big time
Informal. the highest or most important level in any profession or occupation: She's a talented violinist, but she's not ready for the big time.
Slang. a very good time.
Theater. (in vaudeville) any highly successful circuit of theaters that produces two performances daily.
Origin of big time
1Other words from big time
- big-time, adjective
- big-timer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use big time in a sentence
But as her audience broadens, you have to wonder, is the big-time toxic to her art?
She says she met Cosby, a Temple alumnus and big-time donor to the university, in November 2002.
How Bill Cosby Allegedly Silenced His Accusers Through A Tabloid Smear Campaign | Marlow Stern | November 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA lot of big-time directors have been influenced by B-movie guys like Kaufman and Roger Corman, in particular.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Filmmaker James Gunn on His Glorious Space Opera and Rise to the A-List | Marlow Stern | August 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs Ron Fournier is in the habit of reporting, big time Democrats have reached just about the same conclusion.
Republicans are hitting the pipe big time on the ‘deserter’—and their creepy bottom line is that he should have been left to die.
At least it did in Cleveland; and although they were a day late, the Clevelanders determined to have a big time.
Illustrated Science for Boys and Girls | AnonymousBig-time Caribbean piracy had grown from very respectable origins.
The Syndic | C.M. KornbluthI could name a plenty that'll stick in the big time until their toes curl.
Joan Thursday | Louis Joseph Vancebig time may mean Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and any or all the larger cities on the various "circuits."
The Art of Stage Dancing | Ned WayburnLefty's big scene at Nick's fixed it so you won't be welcome in a big-time poker game anywhere in town.
Card Trick | Walter Bupp AKA Randall Garrett
British Dictionary definitions for big time
informal
the big time the highest or most profitable level of an occupation or profession, esp the entertainment business
(as modifier): a big-time comedian
Derived forms of big time
- big-timer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with big time
An enjoyable or exciting time, as in The children came home exhausted but happy; they really had a big time at the circus. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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