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
Pete Golding, who existed as a flowy haired coordinator before Samsoning his locks upon scoring the boss job at Ole Miss, coached a dozen years on the periphery of the big time.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Inspired by his roots After two years at Sac State, Skattebo entered the portal for a shot at the big time.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The ex-Kiss drummer sang backup on some tracks, as did Sebastian Bach, who was just about to hit the big time with his band Skid Row.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Welcome to the big time, Tipping.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big time
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Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Inspired by his roots After two years at Sac State, Skattebo entered the portal for a shot at the big time.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The ex-Kiss drummer sang backup on some tracks, as did Sebastian Bach, who was just about to hit the big time with his band Skid Row.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Welcome to the big time, Tipping.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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