big league

¹

[big leeg]

noun

1. Sports.,  a major league, as in baseball.

   His debut in the big leagues was as a relief pitcher for the Dodgers in the final game of the regular season.

2. Informal.,  the area of greatest competition, highest achievement or rewards, etc..

   He's a local politician who isn't ready for the big league.

big-league

²

[big-leeg]

adjective

1. Sports.,  of or belonging to a major league.

   a big-league pitcher.

2. Informal.,  among the largest, foremost, etc., of its kind.

   the big-league steel companies.

Other Word Forms

• big leaguer noun
• big-leaguer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of big league¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Origin of big league²

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; adjective use of big league

Idioms and Phrases

An area of tough competition and high rewards; the largest or foremost of its kind. For example, Winning an Oscar put this unknown actress in the big league. The term alludes to the major (big) leagues of American baseball. [Late 1800s] Also see big time, def. 2.

Example Sentences

The left-handed starter was 27 and in the midst of his best season of seven in the big leagues when he died.

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“Running the minor league pitching sounds more intriguing to me than being a bullpen coach in the big leagues,” he said.

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He was headed for the big leagues as a college player, when he suffered a brain injury on the field.

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Suarez didn’t break into the big leagues with San Diego until he was 31 because he played one season in Mexico and five seasons in Japan.

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Klein reached the big leagues last year, but made only four appearances before being included in a trade deadline deal to the Oakland Athletics.

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Related Words

• big time 
• majors www.thesaurus.com