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Showing results for bush league. Search instead for bush+league.
Synonyms

bush league

1 American  

noun

Baseball.

  1. minor league.

bush-league 2 American  
[boosh-leeg] / ˈbʊʃˌlig /

adjective

  1. inferior or amateurish; mediocre.

    a bush-league theatrical performance.

Etymology

Origin of bush league1

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Origin of bush-league2

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in a bush league snub, he chooses to be Commissioner Rob, not Commissioner Bob.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 17, 2025

However, the rotating “personalities” in the TV broadcast booth is bush league.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2022

While creative, his move drew the ire of plenty of current and former college and pro players who viewed the "gotcha" moment as bush league.

From Fox News • Dec. 10, 2021

On Saturday, Jim Harbaugh called MSU "bush league" after further sod damage was done.

From Washington Post • Oct. 20, 2018

“That’s the way with all these bush league towns,” remarked Larry, with a wicked grin.

From The Radio Boys at the Sending Station Making Good in the Wireless Room by Chapman, Allen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.