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
The thought of going to an independent pro wrestling show usually brings up images of empty bingo halls and wrestlers who are hoping to make it to the big time.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Club president Florentino Perez favours him, Madrid are desperate for a figure of authority, and Mourinho’s ego must love the thought of climbing back into the big time.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 May 2026
From peddling pencils to the big time Democrats may try at Tuesday’s hearing to make an issue of Warsh’s elite pedigree.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Instead, the big time came calling this past summer, when Illinois head coach Brad Underwood practically cold-called him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the big time
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Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Club president Florentino Perez favours him, Madrid are desperate for a figure of authority, and Mourinho’s ego must love the thought of climbing back into the big time.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 May 2026
From peddling pencils to the big time Democrats may try at Tuesday’s hearing to make an issue of Warsh’s elite pedigree.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Instead, the big time came calling this past summer, when Illinois head coach Brad Underwood practically cold-called him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
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 29 May. 2026.
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