the big city

noun phrase

—used to refer to a particular city without naming it

I grew up on a farm, so my move to the big city was a big change.

life in the big city

Examples of the big city in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Co-written and directed by Ayana Nurdinova, the film tells the story of a music teacher from the small town of Balkhash who dreams of moving to the big city to perform in the philharmonic. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Had moved from my very small town in northern Va to the big city of Richmond to begin my new career as a management trainee with a local bank at the princely sum of $11,000 per year at age 22. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Cody Scott escapes the big city by riding his e-bike in the Everglades. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

For some privacy only about an hour outside of the big city, the Cotswolds, with its rolling hills, charming villages, and celebrity pedigree would certainly fit the bill. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the big city

• intercity
• lubricity
• pugnacity
• rhythmicity
• seismicity
• sphericity
• subcommittee
• tendinitis
• bitty
• ditty
• gritty
• kitty