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

McDowell pitched in the big leagues for 15 seasons, spending 11 of them with the then-Cleveland Indians, parts of two seasons with the San Francisco Giants, parts of two with the New York Yankees and his final season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

After topping the big leagues in lost days in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Dodgers were second with 2,318. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Already an Olympic and World Baseball Classic champion with Japan, now the 26-year-old was showing the big leagues his raw power. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Still, there are layers to how the 24-year-old has carried himself in the big leagues since surprising his way onto the Oilers roster. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for the big leagues

• fatigues
• intrigues