I. ˈbig time¹ noun
the big time informal the position of being very famous or important, for example in the entertainment business or in politics:
The 46-year-old author has finally hit the big time.
—big-time adjective [only before noun]:
big-time cocaine dealers

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. big time² adverb especially American English spoken
to a very large degree:
Morris messed up big time.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

See main entry: big time

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

big time
[informal]
very much.
He really owes her big time for everything she has done for him.

The school was into discipline big time.

[informal]
the time when someone is famous or successful.
Miss Lee hit the big time (= became famous) after winning a talent contest.

The band is hoping to return to the big time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

big-time
the big time - the time when someone is famous or successful.
He played the saxophone with big-time swing bands.

It's a film about drug dealers and big-time gangsters.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

big time
n., informal
1. A very enjoyable time at a party or other pleasurable gathering.
I certainly had a big time at the club last night.
2. The top group; the leading class; the best or most important company.
After his graduation from college, he soon made the big time in baseball.
Many young actors go to Hollywood, but few of them reach the big time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

big time
adj. Belonging to the top group; of the leading class; important.
Jean won a talent contest in her home town, and only a year later she began dancing on big-time television.
Bob practices boxing in the gym every day; he wants to become a big time boxer.
■ Often used in the phrase "big-time operator".
Just because Bill has a new football uniform he thinks he is a big-time operator.
Compare: SHOW OFF.
Antonym: SMALL-TIME.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲