big time

1. adverb A lot; in a significant manner. You owe me big time for driving you to the airport at 4 AM! We're going to need to catch up big time if we want a chance to win. Man, you screwed up big time with this account. I don't know how I'm going to fix it!

2. noun A status or situation involving a lot of fame or success. Exclusively preceded by "the." Though she'd been acting for years, it was after her role in last summer's blockbuster that she finally hit the big time. Back then, I was in my prime—if I was ever going to have a shot at the big time, that was it! When I saw his face on the cover of some mag in the supermarket, I knew he'd finally made it in the big time.

3. adjective Prominent or significant. Usually hyphenated. Though she'd been acting for years, it was her role in last summer's blockbuster that turned her into a big-time star. You're involved with some big-time thugs now, so you're lucky you escaped with your life! There are a certain few big-time spenders who always come through the casino, so we try to make sure they have the best experience possible.

the big time

COMMON The big time means fame and success. After a series of small but critically admired roles, the actor has now moved into the big time. Note: When someone becomes famous and successful, you can say that they hit the big time. He opened his own salon in 1923 and hit the big time in 1935, when he designed the wedding dress for the Duchess of Gloucester. Note: You can use big-time to describe someone or something that is very successful, powerful, or important. You'll be a rich man — you have the brains to make a big-time criminal.

big time, the

A high level of achievement or prominence in any area. This usage dates from the early 1900s. For example, “Barry’s band has reached the big time; it’s going to play in a New York club.” The term is also used adjectivally, as in “Being named to the board, that’s a big-time promotion.”

See also: big

See also:

References in periodicals archive

'Shabu is poor man's cocaine so this proliferate in barangays...[The government's] first concern is to stop peddling and then go after the big time drug lords,' he added.

SC justice fears more deaths as gov't goes after street drug peddlers

It's a Long Story: My Life provides the definitive autobiography of Willie Nelson and incorporates more than a light dose of humor into a production that is "told as clear as a Texas sky and in the same rhythm that I lived it." Familiarity with and appreciation for Nelson's music is a prerequisite to fully appreciating this account of how he moved between Texas to the Pacific Northwest and around the country as he honed his music and moved from selling vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias to writing song after song in hopes of hitting the big time. How he hit that big time--and, more importantly, what he did with it--forms the foundation of a lively autobiography that recounts some of the biggest names in country music and his friendships and encounters with them.

It's a Long Story: My Life

"FORGOTTEN man" James DeGale is ready to launch himself back into the big time when he auditions for the right to ght the winner of Saturday's rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves.

DeGale back in spotlight; BOXING

The Big Time, a production from Made 4 Stage Theatre, offers a comedic insight of a job gone wrong when Jerry and Jacks make a complete mess of their latest mission.

TWISTS AND TURNS

The Portuguese striker bust a gut to get on the end of a Carlton Cole lay-off to settle the Championship play-off final and send Hammers into the big time.

That's ab fab! Vaz Te has stomach for Prem

STEPHEN McManus aims to savour the big time atmosphere tonight - and then hopefully help bring the good times back to the Boro.

I want to see the good times back at Boro, says Mac

"If it hits the big time, who knows what I'll be able to buy."

McDONALD'S HAPPY REELS; Burger flipper gives pal pounds 6k to make movie

Up to 300 youngsters from the Blue Coat School, in Somerset Road, Edgbaston, will each dress in red for the Big Time Rhyme in aid of London's Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

Blue Coat is red for the day

"I thought I was entering the big time but failed to establish myself as a regular.

Football: Scott's goal is to blast back into the big time; JUNIORS WEST

Headlining are Coventry's The Enemy, who are shaping up to follow previous Riot tourers The Kaiser Chiefs into the big time. Also on the bill are rap/indie crossover Lethal Bizzle and scouse funsters The Wombats.

BOOK IT: THE ENEMY/LETHAL BIZZLE/THE WOMBATS

Thrasher fave and King of the Road legend Jeremy "Sherm" Rogers has officially entered the big time with a signature shoe on DVS.

Hot shoes

WHEN Ryan Valentine was dumped by Everton, he feared his chance of making the big time had gone.

Football: Valentine earns his day in the sun; INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: WALES V BRAZIL Tonight, kick-off 7.45pm Former Blues youngster set to face Brazil tonight

And Cynthia Amsden hits the right comic note with Paul Gross and Steve Smith, as the two television icons take a shot at the big screen and the big time, Canadian style.

From the editor

It wasn't exactly the big time, he admits: "The prize for winning didn't even pan out.

Jazz baby: to 26-year-old Shawn Ryan, life is a cabaret, and he's coming to one near you