big time
B2Informal, Spoken
Definition
Meaning
A position of great prominence, success, or importance in a particular field.
To a very great extent or degree; an emphatic intensifier used to modify adjectives, verbs, or nouns.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions primarily as an adverb or noun; as a noun, often preceded by 'the' (e.g., 'hit the big time'). The adverbial use intensifies actions or states (e.g., 'screwed up big time').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily used in American English; UK usage is heavily influenced by American media but is understood. The adverbial intensifier is more distinctly American in origin.
Connotations
In both, connotes major success, failure, or magnitude. It carries a slight colloquial, sometimes bragging or dramatic tone.
Frequency
Considerably more frequent in American English in both adverbial and nominal uses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + big time (adv): 'He messed up big time.'the + big time (n): 'They finally reached the big time.'ADJ + big time (attributive): 'He's a big time lawyer in the city.'Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hit the big time”
- “make it big time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informally used to describe major success or failure in deals or careers (e.g., 'That merger made them big time.').
Academic
Rare; considered informal and non-standard for academic writing.
Everyday
Common in spoken language to emphasize scale or seriousness (e.g., 'I owe you big time!').
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company has decided to big time their expansion into Europe. (Rare, innovative use)
American English
- He's trying to big time his old friends now that he's famous. (Slang: to act arrogantly)
adverb
British English
- Our team lost big time in the final match.
American English
- You need to step up your game, big time, if you want to compete.
adjective
British English
- He's facing some big-time legal challenges after the scandal.
American English
- She's a big-time investor with stakes in multiple tech startups.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They are big time football players.
- She likes him big time!
- After winning the championship, he finally hit the big time.
- I regret my decision big time.
- The film's director made it big time with his first independent movie.
- We miscalculated the costs big time and now the project is over budget.
- Once a niche blogger, she's now a big-time influencer with corporate sponsorships.
- The policy failed big time, exacerbating the very problem it aimed to solve.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a musician playing small clubs, then finally playing a HUGE stadium. That jump to the STADIUM is the 'big time'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS/IMPORTANCE IS SIZE (BIGNESS); INTENSITY IS SIZE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'большое время'.
- The adverbial use is an intensifier, not time-related. Equivalent to 'крупно', 'по-крупному', or 'сильно'.
- As a noun, similar to 'большая лига' or 'высший свет'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Incorrectly using as a regular time phrase: *'We had a big time at the party.' (Use 'great time').
- Omitting 'the' in the noun phrase: *'He made it to big time.' (Correct: '...to the big time').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'big time' CORRECTLY as an adverb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strictly informal. Avoid it in academic, business, or other formal writing.
Yes, in an attributive position (e.g., 'a big-time operator'). It is hyphenated when used attributively before a noun.
'A great time' refers to an enjoyable experience. 'Big time' refers to major success/importance or acts as an intensifier. They are not interchangeable.
It is understood but is perceived as an Americanism. It's increasingly used in the UK, especially among younger speakers influenced by global media.
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