big tent

noun

1. a political party's or coalition's policy or doctrine of allowing and encouraging a wide range of beliefs, opinions, and views among its members.

big tent

noun

1. 1. a political approach in which a party claims to be open to a wide spectrum of constituents and groups
   2. ( as modifier )

      big-tent politics

Other Words From

• big-tent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of big tent¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Santorum embraced a more pragmatic big-tent approach to these candidates.

From The Daily Beast

The smaller “Flood Wall Street” eschewed the big-tent approach and focused on radical politics and aggressive activism.

From The Daily Beast

But the World Vision scandal is just the latest indication that the “big tent” of Cold War evangelicalism has collapsed.

From The Daily Beast

McAuliffe is a big-tent Democrat who stands four-square in favor of both corporations and people.

From The Daily Beast

Burning down the Big Tent causes long-term electoral problems, especially in a country that is increasingly diverse, not less.

From The Daily Beast

At midnight, however, Jimmy entered the big tent quietly with a lantern, touching each of the fresh men on the shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

The exhibition had already started, and they got inside the big tent-like enclosure as speedily as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

He left his seat in a hurry, and, elbowing his way through the crowd, started for the entrance to the big tent-like enclosure.

From Project Gutenberg

He missed doing his tricks, too, and he missed seeing the boys and girls and their parents, in the big tent.

From Project Gutenberg

It was soon decided to enlarge the Cave to accommodate five men, the other four consenting to squeeze into Stillwell's big tent.

From Project Gutenberg