the big leagues
plural noun
US
: the two highest U.S. baseball leagues (the American League and the National League)
He always dreamed of playing in the big leagues.
—often used figurativelyShe's moving up to the big leagues in the television industry.
She's in the big leagues now, working for a major law firm in a large city.
Examples of the big leagues in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick never quite made the big leagues and is now more or less washed up, sleeping in his car and scrounging for food while counting on prize money, or at least an entrant’s fee, to get him to the next match.
—
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Catch up with all 16 Gem State professionals and their progress to the big leagues below.
—Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
In 2021, after establishing his college basketball career at two smaller schools, he was set to play his very first game for the University of Georgia – the big leagues to many kids who, like Bridges, grow up in the Atlanta area.
—Amanda Sealy, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Rivera has almost exclusively played third base in the big leagues (160 starts) but has some experience at first base (18 appearances, nine starts).
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Both are looking to establish themselves in the big leagues.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2024
In a 13-4 loss to split the four-game set with the Padres, Jefferies received a rude welcome back to the big leagues, surrendering nine runs (five earned) and a pair of homers.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
After three years of setbacks and surgeries, Sixto Sanchez is back in the big leagues.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
Prior to becoming a powerhouse manager, largely due to his desire to steer Strait into the big leagues, Woolsey served as a label exec, first at ABC and then MCA.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Catch up with all 16 Gem State professionals and their progress to the big leagues below.
—Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
In 2021, after establishing his college basketball career at two smaller schools, he was set to play his very first game for the University of Georgia – the big leagues to many kids who, like Bridges, grow up in the Atlanta area.
—Amanda Sealy, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Rivera has almost exclusively played third base in the big leagues (160 starts) but has some experience at first base (18 appearances, nine starts).
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Both are looking to establish themselves in the big leagues.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2024
In a 13-4 loss to split the four-game set with the Padres, Jefferies received a rude welcome back to the big leagues, surrendering nine runs (five earned) and a pair of homers.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
After three years of setbacks and surgeries, Sixto Sanchez is back in the big leagues.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
Prior to becoming a powerhouse manager, largely due to his desire to steer Strait into the big leagues, Woolsey served as a label exec, first at ABC and then MCA.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the big leagues.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“The big leagues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20leagues. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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