big top

big top

1. noun A large tent at a circus under which the main attractions are featured. Used figuratively to refer to the location where a primary or major event, show, or attraction is held, often in the phrase "under the big top." The headline bands are performing under the big top at the music festival this weekend.
2. adjective Featured as the primary or major event, attraction, show, etc. Often hyphenated. The big-top match in boxing this weekend will be the fight between the reigning champion and the underdog newcomer.
See also: big, top
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

big top

1. The main tent of a circus, as in The high-wire act is almost always in the big top. [c. 1840]
2. Underworld slang for a maximum-security prison, as in He was sentenced to ten years in the big top. [1950s]
See also: big, top
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

big top

1. n. a circus tent; the circus, in general. And now, one of the greatest acts under the big top.
2. mod. having to do with the circus. One big top experience is enough to last me a lifetime.
See also: big, top
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • in reach
  • the thumbs up/down
  • thumbs down
  • give something the thumbs up
  • give (something) the thumbs up
  • give something the thumbs down
  • give (something) the thumbs down
  • kiss and make up
  • be (flat) on (one's) back
  • flat on back
References in periodicals archive
In the past we have performed in partnership with the Centre by putting up the big top on Roald Dahl Plass, but last year we wanted something different.
Cirque shows have a shelf life of about 14 years under the big top, said McKeown, who also has worked on the company's "Quidam" and "Alegria" shows.
Anne, who's crippled with arthritis, with her owner Bobby Roberts Picture: WILLIE THORNTON' Big Top where Anne is used to draw the crowds
In fact, the notice in the Big Top sounds as if it has been lifted from a policy document, written by some apparatchik, approved by his or her superior, rubber stamped (without waiting in the queue) at head office.
"Regardless of whether we hit our target, we will still have indoor events at the various bars and cafes along the street, however we are aiming to have a circus big top on the Mystery which will have bands, a local market, even pro wrestling, as well as a massive dedicated kids area.
| Flown will be at the Big Top |on Beach Road, Bangor, until Saturday, July 25.
Sheer Enchantment, which staged pantos at the Gala for six years under the Pantoni brand, will stage a rival production in a big top in The Sands, about 300 yards away.
The big top of the Circus of the Orient will be at Woody Close Farm on August 19 and 21.
NOFIT State Circus is leaving its Cardiff big top behind and heading to Cornwall to create a major outdoor aerial acrobatic show to celebrate the Eden Project's 10th birthday.
In Buster's Really Great Big Top Show, Buster and Lass's dreams take them to the Biggest little show on earth.
will help her comeback sitcom Big Top become a similar hit.
Filming Big Top really put her through her paces, as Amanda reveals: "I now feel I can add theatre skills to my CV because I've dressed up as a clown, I've been strapped to a rotating board and had knives thrown at me...
The Big Top is coming to Coventry and people are being invited to run away to the circus.
In the meantime, we staged the Summer Pops in a temporary Big Top. We did it, because the city badly needed it.
The 3,000 sq ft Big Top premises in Union Passage, off New Street, will shut at the end of June, the Royal Mail announced.