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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 17, 2025

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

“It was bush league, it was a total coward move on his part,” Rudolph said, adding: “I’m not going to take it from a bully.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2019

I searched for current players who had hit over .350 in their bush league years, no matter where or how long, to find out what a “low expectation” might be.

From Washington Post • May 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