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the big leagues

plural noun

Definition of the big leagues

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 figuratively
  • She'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.

Word by Word Definitions

big play

  1. : of great strength

  2. : of great force

  3. : large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent

  1. : in a loud or declamatory manner

  2. : to a large amount or extent

  3. : on a large scale

  1. : an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power

  2. : a big player : a center or forward whose large size and strength are used to control play near the basket

See the full definition of big
league play leagues

  1. : any of various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers)

  2. : a square league

  1. : an association of nations or other political entities for a common purpose

  2. : an association of persons or groups united by common interests or goals

  3. : a group of sports teams that regularly play one another

  1. : to unite in a league

  2. : to form a league

See the full definition of league

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