the big time
noun phrase
: the highest or most successful level of an activity
He was a good basketball player but he never made (it to) the big time.
The group performed in small clubs for years before hitting the big time with a record deal.
Examples of the big time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Now back in the big time, The Black Cats are breaking the bank to stay there.
—
Steve Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
What transpired was a real passion for supporting these aspiring singers through their bid for the big time.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
Welcome to the big time to both the Blue Hens and their fellow Conference USA entrants, the Missouri State Bears.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
How did a footballer on the verge of the big time at Liverpool later find himself at the centre of a massive cocaine bust?
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steve Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
What transpired was a real passion for supporting these aspiring singers through their bid for the big time.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
Welcome to the big time to both the Blue Hens and their fellow Conference USA entrants, the Missouri State Bears.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
How did a footballer on the verge of the big time at Liverpool later find himself at the centre of a massive cocaine bust?
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big time
Cite this Entry
“The big time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20time. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share