big time

noun

1. Informal.,  the highest or most important level in any profession or occupation.

   She's a talented violinist, but she's not ready for the big time.

2. Slang.,  a very good time.

3. Theater.,  (in vaudeville) any highly successful circuit of theaters that produces two performances daily.

big time

noun

1. informal

   1. the highest or most profitable level of an occupation or profession, esp the entertainment business

   2. ( as modifier )

      a big-time comedian

Other Word Forms

• big-timer noun
• big-time adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of big time¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Idioms and Phrases

An enjoyable or exciting time, as in The children came home exhausted but happy; they really had a big time at the circus . [Mid-1800s]

The highest or most important level in any enterprise, as in I knew that when I made it through the last audition, I was finally in the big time . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900] Also see big league .

Example Sentences

Olsen: There was a big time gap just between Season 1 and Season 2.

From Los Angeles Times

"Social media is impacting our lives big time and it is contributing to our urge to buy, urge to spend, urge to interact every time."

From BBC

Once I got there and figured out what they had up their sleeve, I just went with it big time.

From Los Angeles Times

“Sean Combs mostly won in court, but in the court of public opinion, he lost big time with his despicable misconduct that was unveiled at trial.”

From Los Angeles Times

In particular, the willingness to borrow and borrow big time for long term stuff.

From BBC

Related Words

• big league