a/the call-up to the majors

sports The opportunity for a minor league athlete to play for a major league team. ("Call up" is sometime left unhyphenated.) Primarily heard in US. Because I wasn't a high-profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors and hope to get a call-up to the majors. Most sports analysts expected the talented pitcher to receive a call up to the majors. Williams has been on fire lately. I suspect he'll get the call up to the majors sooner than later.

be called up to the majors

sports Of a minor league athlete, to be given the opportunity to play for a major league team. Primarily heard in US. Because I wasn't a high-profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors and hope to be called up to the majors. After being called up to the majors at the beginning of the year, the impressive young pitcher has already set a new record for the most strikeouts in a single season. Wait, the kid who hit that walk-off home run was just called up to the majors yesterday? Wow.

drum major instinct

An innate desire to succeed, to be recognized and respected for one's success, and to be a leader. From the sermon "The Drum Major Instinct" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Having a drum major instinct is a good thing—it propels us to be our best selves. But it can also fill you with arrogance and a selfish need for attention or praise. I don't know about promoting him to a management role. He doesn't have the drum major instinct we need. These are very solid candidates for student council president. Every single one has that drum major instinct.

get a/the call-up to the majors

sports Of a minor league athlete, to be given the opportunity to play for a major league team. ("Call up" is sometime left unhyphenated.) Primarily heard in US. Because I wasn't a high-profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors and hope to get a call-up to the majors. Most sports analysts expected the talented pitcher to get a call up to the majors. Williams has been on fire lately. I suspect he'll get the call up to the majors sooner than later.

major in (something)

To complete a college or university degree with a particular subject as its focus. Originally I thought I would major in English literature, but I switch to psychology in my second year. Samantha's majoring in economics, with a minor in history.

See also: major

major league(s)

An area, echelon, or sphere of great competition, success, power, achievement, etc. Refers to the major leagues of sports teams. I know you're new here, but you need to perform much better if you want to stay in this law firm. You're in the major leagues now. Welcome to the major league of politics, senator.

See also: major

major upset

A game, contest, or election in which the winner's victory was highly unlikely or unexpected. The team, which had barely made the playoffs after a fairly middling season, pulled off a major upset against the three-time consecutive champions. The candidate's victory is a major upset, after every single poll in the lead-up to the election put her opponent well ahead of her.

major in something

to specialize in a certain subject in college. I majored in history in college. I want to major in math.

See also: major

major in

To complete a long-term course of study in some subject that is one's main focus: In high school I was interested in math, but in college I majored in history.

See also: major

major

mod. excellent; serious; severe. (Collegiate.) This rally is, like, major! Nick is a major dweeb.

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References in classic literature

Dear Major Fitz-David, I have no friends to take my part: I have nobody to come to but you!

"Do me the greatest of all favors;" answered the Major. "Don't ask me to say a word about it."

I am only a woman, Major. I can only throw myself on your kindness.

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"Ah," said the major, taking a second biscuit, "that consummation of my happiness was indeed wanting." The worthy major raised his eyes to heaven and sighed.

"That was the general opinion, sir," said the major, "and I" --

A youthful indiscretion, I suppose, which you were anxious to conceal from the world at large?" The major recovered himself, and resumed his usual calm manner, at the same time casting his eyes down, either to give himself time to compose his countenance, or to assist his imagination, all the while giving an under-look at the count, the protracted smile on whose lips still announced the same polite curiosity.

"Oh, no, certainly not on my own account," said the major with a smile and a shake of the head.

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The major, holding his sabre in his well hand, with his pistols in his belt, gathered up the reins with the other hand and mounted one horse while the grenadier mounted the other.

Masters of Studzianka, they could sweep the plain, and by daylight the major could see two of their columns moving and forming on the heights.

Fortunately the major, who was carrying the countess, was still some distance from it.

As for the major and the grenadier, they found their safety in their strength.

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The Major patted him on the shoulder with a gesture almost peculiar to the soothing of a sick child, and said: "It was a burglar.

Major Putnam nodded, but at the same time shrugged his shoulders.

While the Major strolled unobtrusively towards him, the priest took an equally indolent turn, which took him round the next corner of the house to within a yard or two of the projecting dustbin.

Major Putnam had managed to slip inside and plunge into a proper shirt and trousers, with a crimson cummerbund, and a light square jacket over all; thus normally set off, his red festive face seemed bursting with a commonplace cordiality.

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