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
So in an era when so many pitchers get hurt, how has Morton been able to last this long after breaking into the big leagues in 2008?
—
Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2024
Furtado started his coaching career at Gilroy in the early 2000s, helping develop players such as catcher Chris Gimenez, who went on to the big leagues.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
Now, the challenge for Buehler — who notably has added weight during his rehab process — is figuring out how to be good in the big leagues again.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024
But Rock contacted Blue Sky Pest Control and Hilton, branch office manager, got his call to the big leagues.
—Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 30 Apr. 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had his best start in the big leagues Thursday afternoon.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
And now, with Wynn’s record-shattering purchase, Aspen has officially joined the big leagues.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
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
Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2024
Furtado started his coaching career at Gilroy in the early 2000s, helping develop players such as catcher Chris Gimenez, who went on to the big leagues.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
Now, the challenge for Buehler — who notably has added weight during his rehab process — is figuring out how to be good in the big leagues again.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024
But Rock contacted Blue Sky Pest Control and Hilton, branch office manager, got his call to the big leagues.
—Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 30 Apr. 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had his best start in the big leagues Thursday afternoon.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
And now, with Wynn’s record-shattering purchase, Aspen has officially joined the big leagues.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
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
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 17 May. 2024.
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