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 figuratively

She'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

Headrick is second in the big leagues in appearances to Toronto lefty Mason Fluharty and permitted a run for only the 12th time. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Nate Furman, Shay Whitcomb and Grant McCray, all promoted to the big leagues from Triple-A Sacramento earlier Monday, started the game at second base, third base and right field, respectively, and hit sixth, seventh and eighth in the order. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

The Guardians have reasons not to promote him to the big leagues this year. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Summary Top prospect Kade Anderson, the 2025 MLB draft's third pick, made his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners, becoming the first from his class to reach the big leagues. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the big leagues

• fatigues
• intrigues