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

Those who know Dombrowski best marvel at his ability to consume information from reports written about every player from the lowest rung of the minors to the big leagues and recall it without flinching.

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They determined Schlittler was their best option and promoted him to the big leagues.

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By 20, he was in the big leagues and was immediately tasked with powering the Blue Jays back to the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a lot to take on, to be a shortstop in the big leagues,” Freeman said in late May.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s not easy. You’ve got to have depth — not only here in the big leagues, but depth in the system — to give yourself a chance to win the division.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• big time 
• majors www.thesaurus.com