the big boys
plural noun
informal
: the most powerful people or companies
He'll have to work pretty hard if he wants to compete with the big boys in the industry.
Examples of the big boys in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Big tech companies are the big boys in DC these days; their lobbying has grown significantly.
—
Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Big tech companies are the big boys in DC these days; their lobbying has grown significantly.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Until the Giants can beat out the big boys for a marquee free agent — purely with a checkbook and a pitch — the reputation will stick.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Dec. 2025
The table is closer than ever; promoted teams jumping from their seats and bloodying the big boys.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big boys
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Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Big tech companies are the big boys in DC these days; their lobbying has grown significantly.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Until the Giants can beat out the big boys for a marquee free agent — purely with a checkbook and a pitch — the reputation will stick.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Dec. 2025
The table is closer than ever; promoted teams jumping from their seats and bloodying the big boys.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big boys
Cite this Entry
“The big boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20boys. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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