big league

big leagues

An area, echelon, or sphere of great competition, success, power, achievement, etc. Refers to major (i.e., "big") leagues of sports teams. I know you're new here, but you need to perform much better than that. You're in the big leagues now. Welcome to the big leagues, senator.
See also: big, league

big-league

Describing or indicative of the highest level of something. That's a tough injury to come back from—I wonder if he'll ever be a big-league pitcher again.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

big league

An area of tough competition and high rewards; the largest or foremost of its kind. For example, Winning an Oscar put this unknown actress in the big league. The term alludes to the major (big) leagues of American baseball. [Late 1800s] Also see big time, def. 2.
See also: big, league
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

big league

1. n. a situation where competition is keen and a high level of performance is expected. (Usually plural. Referred originally to major league sports.) You’re in the big leagues now—no more penny-ante stuff.
2. and big-league mod. professional; big time. (From baseball.) When I’m a big-league star, I’ll send you free tickets.
See also: big, league
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • big leagues
  • major league(s)
  • play in the big leagues
  • bushel
  • a bad apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bushel
  • it takes one bad apple to spoil the (whole) barrel
  • it takes one bad apple to spoil the (whole) bunch
References in periodicals archive
More than ten years ago, Marucci launched in a backyard shed with the goal of becoming the number one bat in the Big Leagues.
Marucci Sports Acquires Wood Baseball Bat Manufacturer Victus
Big League's Dan Sher said the decision was made after his producing org failed to reach an agreement with Actors' Equity.
'AIDA' tour axed; Big League, Equity at odds; unions join hands
Warren Spahn was a true big league star for all time.
Warren Spahn, pitcher
Only their color kept them out of big league baseball." (25)
Baseball's whitewash: sportswriter Wendell Smith exposes Major League Baseball's big lie
We chose to stay in the big league. Our goal is now to remain there."
UAE rugby team in survival battle against Sri Lanka
Leveraging the Global association in India, Vodafone had launched 'Vodafone Drive into the Big League - II' that provides a never before opportunity to small & medium enterprises (SME's) to have their logo on the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes cars that will race at the motor racing event in India.
Lewis Hamilton scorches through Bandra Kurla Complex in his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car
He's here in Fort Myers and he's recovering and it's not going to get in the way of his future, but he won't be in big league camp."
Red Sox Prospect Suffers Gun Accident During Spring Training
First, that the Central League is a big league - and has always been a big league.
League that boasts many famous clubs; The Huddersfield Central League celebrates its Centenary this year. Here, PETER DAVIES looks back
"Just wait until the dog days of July and August" might well be the clarion call for this new super talent, who is already well on his way to almost-certain big league stardom.
Prospect spotlight: cuba's Jose Abreu is Baseball's newest rookie sensation
They will once again represent the region and the country in the Big League World Series set Aug.
Manila, Iloilo win AsPac titles
HE'S the soaring voice behind that haunting Lexus ad on telly and, at 20, Martin Grech is staking a claim to rock's big league.
Mail music: Martin has Lex appeal; MARTIN GRECH, King Tut's, Glasgow, January 29 ****
Then, on February 25, Washington (1933b) announced the beginning of the newspaper's symposium on baseball, telling readers that over the next several weeks he would publish the views of big league owners, managers, ballplayers, and sportswriters on why there were no Blacks in baseball.
"What's wrong with baseball": the Pittsburgh Courier and the beginning of its campaign to integrate the national pastime
GAY KELLEWAY has been looking for some while for a horse to bring her back into the big league and feels she might just have found one in Grey Pearl.
Chester: Pearl looks like a jewel for Kelleway
Cast urethane throwing wheels, custom formulated and manufactured by Mearthane Products, are credited with improving the accuracy of a computerized batting cage designed to emulate big league pitching.
Keeping it in the ball park. (Applications in Plastics)