the big time

noun phrase

: the highest or most successful level of an activity
He was a good basketball player but he never made (it to) the big time.
The group performed in small clubs for years before hitting the big time with a record deal.

Examples of the big time in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Little by little, Parton and Dean were able to pay his mother back each month for their rings, which Parton kept even after hitting the big time. — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 In his short time in the big time, Hill’s been able to weed out the grifters and users, spotting the BS a mile away. — Katherine Turman, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026 Alexiades and Meadows hit the big time in another way, becoming stars for the Savannah Bananas. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Regardless of whichever side of the Clasico divide Gordon ended up, there have been times when those dreams of reaching the big time appeared a million miles away; moments at just about every step of the 25-year-old’s journey where others did not share that unwavering belief in his ability. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for the big time

Rhymes for the big time

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Cite this Entry

“The big time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20time. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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