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 Words From

• big lea·guer big-lea·guer 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 reality is they are in the big league at the moment.

From BBC

The format may have changed - with one big league table instead of multiple four-team groups - but there are still six games to be played by each team.

From BBC

His four sons — Rudy is the oldest and Calvin wedged between Perry and Zack — all served as bat boys and clubhouse attendants, immersed in the day-to-day routines of big league players.

From Los Angeles Times

For the devastated people of the region, news of a local baseball wunderkind making it in Japan’s big leagues was a balm.

From Los Angeles Times

As soon as he got to the big leagues, he was a monster, Scioscia says.

From Los Angeles Times