big league

[ big-leeg ]

/ ˈbɪg ˈlig /

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See synonyms for big league on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

Informal. the area of greatest competition, highest achievement or rewards, etc.: He's a local politician who isn't ready for the big league.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of big league

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

OTHER WORDS FROM big league

big lea·guer, big-lea·guer, noun

Words nearby big league

big Ike, big kahuna, big labor, big laurel, bigleaf maple, big league, big leaguer, big-leaved magnolia, big lie, bigly, big mama

Other definitions for big league (2 of 2)

big-league

[ big-leeg ]

/ ˈbɪgˈlig /

adjective

Sports. of or belonging to a major league: a big-league pitcher.

Informal. among the largest, foremost, etc., of its kind: the big-league steel companies.

Origin of big-league

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

How to use big league in a sentence

When he retired from baseball last month, he did so as a Minnesota Twin, the team that drafted him, developed him, brought him to the big leagues and made him an all-star.
Brian Dozier learned Spanish to be a better teammate. There’s a lesson for MLB.|Barry Svrluga|March 4, 2021|Washington Post
Especially when you’re being scrutinized, especially when you’re in the big leagues.
Carter Kieboom, unbothered by the spotlight, is confident he can keep his third base job|Jesse Dougherty|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
Spector said it has been exciting to watch new players “trying to make their mark and prove that they belong in the big leagues.”
The OWL’s London Spitfire are hoping to go big by going home|Teddy Amenabar|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Alderson, 73, has a vast background in running big league front offices.
Mets fire GM Jared Porter after ESPN details lewd, harassing texts to female reporter|Dave Sheinin, Cindy Boren|January 19, 2021|Washington Post

Kieboom played 53 times under big league lights and is one of only 19,902 people ever to do so.
Spencer Kieboom built his life around baseball. Then he quietly walked away.|Jesse Dougherty|November 30, 2020|Washington Post
If his big league career was short-lived, it was nonetheless substantial by almost any measure.
Havana Bids Adios to Conrado Marrero, MLB’s Oldest Player|Peter C. Bjarkman|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Down here, the big-league dreams of the players are still just far-off lights on the horizon.
This Is What Baseball Looks Like in the Lowliest Minor Leagues|Nicholas Mancusi|May 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The average salary is more than $3 millon, and the minimum big-league contract is $480,000.
Marvin Miller, the Labor Leader Who Revolutionized Baseball|Allen St. John|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This is the big league, and politics is a blood sport here, a tradition going back hundreds of years.
Why Women Don't Win Massachusetts|Linda Killian|October 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Jacqui, for her part, is represented by another big-league lawyer.
Hollywood's Billionaire Divorce Scandal|Jacob Bernstein|May 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
If you fellows hadnt given me Big League support theyd corralled the game after all.
The New Boys at Oakdale|Morgan Scott
Ive never missed an opportunity of seeing a Big League game and trying to wise up on the methods of the players.
The New Boys at Oakdale|Morgan Scott
Big-league fielders did not wait till the ball was high in the air before running to get under it.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High|Leslie W. Quirk
To be a successful pitcher in the Big League, a man must have the head and the arm.
Pitching in a Pinch|Christy Mathewson
Newspapers work on the mental attitude of Big League players.
Pitching in a Pinch|Christy Mathewson

Other Idioms and Phrases with big league

big league

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.

big league

Origin of big league

OTHER WORDS FROM big league

Words nearby big league

Other definitions for big league (2 of 2)

Origin of big-league

Words related to big league

How to use big league in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with big league