big time

big time

1. adverb A lot; in a significant manner. You owe me big time for driving you to the airport at 4 AM! We're going to need to catch up big time if we want a chance to win.
2. noun A status or situation involving a lot of fame or success. Exclusively preceded by "the." Though she'd been acting for years, it was after her role in last summer's blockbuster that she finally hit the big time.
3. adjective Prominent or significant. Usually hyphenated. Though she'd been acting for years, it was her role in last summer's blockbuster that turned her into a big-time star.
See also: big, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

big time

1. An enjoyable or exciting time, as in The children came home exhausted but happy; they really had a big time at the circus. [Mid-1800s]
2. The highest or most important level in any enterprise, as in I knew that when I made it through the last audition, I was finally in the big time. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see big league.
See also: big, time
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

big time

INFORMAL
You can use big time to emphasize the importance or extent of something. They messed up big time by refusing to take the work. With a little luck we could make this thing work big-time.
See also: big, time

the big time

COMMON The big time means fame and success. After a series of small but critically admired roles, the actor has now moved into the big time. Note: When someone becomes famous and successful, you can say that they hit the big time. He opened his own salon in 1923 and hit the big time in 1935, when he designed the wedding dress for the Duchess of Gloucester. Note: You can use big-time to describe someone or something that is very successful, powerful, or important. You'll be a rich man — you have the brains to make a big-time criminal.
See also: big, time
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

ˈbig time

(informal)
1 (the big time)great success in a profession, especially the entertainment business: a bit-part actor who finally made/hit the big time
2 on a large scale; to a great extent: This time they’ve messed up big time!
See also: big, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

big time

1. n. the high level of success. I’ve finally reached the big time!
2. and big-time mod. outstanding; extravagant. This is one of your real big-time stars.
3. and big-time mod. felonious. (Underworld.) Frank is into big-time stuff now.
See also: big, time

big-time

verb
See big time
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

big time, the

A high level of achievement or prominence in any area. This usage dates from the early 1900s. For example, “Barry’s band has reached the big time; it’s going to play in a New York club.” The term is also used adjectivally, as in “Being named to the board, that’s a big-time promotion.”
See also: big
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • big time, the
  • big-time
  • the big time
  • big-D
  • Big D
  • do something in a big/small way
  • in a big way
  • make big
  • make it big
  • be (not) big on (something)
References in periodicals archive
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The acquisition will enable Hillman to expand into adjacent categories with Big Time's products in the hardware, automotive, garden, and cleaning industries.
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Nickelodeon hit it big with its music-centric comedy series "Big Time Rush," which premiered in 2009 and wrapped up with an hourlong finale five years ago, on July 25, 2013. To celebrate, "BTR" alum Carlos PenaVega and his wife Alexa PenaVega, who guest-starred in the series finale, shared with International Business Times their favorite memories from that time in their lives.
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During Tuesday's oral argument, Solicitor General Jose Calida told the Supreme Court that the government is focusing first on street peddlers before going after big time drug lords.
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It's a Long Story: My Life provides the definitive autobiography of Willie Nelson and incorporates more than a light dose of humor into a production that is "told as clear as a Texas sky and in the same rhythm that I lived it." Familiarity with and appreciation for Nelson's music is a prerequisite to fully appreciating this account of how he moved between Texas to the Pacific Northwest and around the country as he honed his music and moved from selling vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias to writing song after song in hopes of hitting the big time. How he hit that big time--and, more importantly, what he did with it--forms the foundation of a lively autobiography that recounts some of the biggest names in country music and his friendships and encounters with them.
It's a Long Story: My Life
(www.winrgames.com) announced last week that they have now opened up their Big Time mobile application, to users in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
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Plans for Big Time, who finished fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, are expected to be made later this week.
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"FORGOTTEN man" James DeGale is ready to launch himself back into the big time when he auditions for the right to ght the winner of Saturday's rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves.
DeGale back in spotlight; BOXING
The Big Time, a production from Made 4 Stage Theatre, offers a comedic insight of a job gone wrong when Jerry and Jacks make a complete mess of their latest mission.
TWISTS AND TURNS
SAM SMITH says Laura Robson is "big time" and will become a regular Grand Slam contender.
LAURA ON FOR SLAM
Summary: Behind the scenes with Big Time Rush, the boys revealed they like to "relax and enjoy themselves" by having pool parties.
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It lifted me big time on the day." me big time on the day.
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The Portuguese striker bust a gut to get on the end of a Carlton Cole lay-off to settle the Championship play-off final and send Hammers into the big time.
That's ab fab! Vaz Te has stomach for Prem
We got the guys of Big Time Rush (Logan Henderson, James Meslow, Kendall Schmidt and Carlos Pena) to spill their biggest group date dos and don'ts.
Dating secrets from the boys of BTR