big-league
At elite level
Big-league means major, significant, or at the highest level of competition or importance.
The term comes from professional baseball's major leagues, as opposed to minor leagues.
It applies broadly: big-league talent, a big-league operation, playing in the big leagues now.
To big-league someone is to treat them dismissively, as if they're beneath you—the way a star might snub a lesser player.
Of highest quality
- world-classOf highest international standard
- premierFirst in importance
- heavyweightHighest combat weight class
- powerhouseSource of great energy
marquee · high-stakes · upper echelon · exclusive · prestigious · influential · distinguished · renowned
Pro baseball organization
- World SeriesMLB championship tournament
- pennantTapering nautical flag
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- rosterList of members
draft pick · farm system · minors · call-up · free agent · trade deadline · spring training · batting average
Lifelong occupational pursuit
- corporateOf or relating to companies
- industryEconomic production sector
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
CEO · Fortune 500 · multinational · high-powered · dealmaker · mogul · tycoon · negotiation
top-tier
Of highest quality
- world-classOf highest international standard
- premierFirst in importance
- heavyweightHighest combat weight class
powerhouse · marquee · high-stakes · upper echelon · exclusive · prestigious · influential · distinguished · renowned · celebrated
MLB
Pro baseball organization
- World SeriesMLB championship tournament
- pennantTapering nautical flag
- franchiseLicensed business operation
roster · draft pick · farm system · minors · call-up · free agent · trade deadline · spring training · batting average · ERA
career
Lifelong occupational pursuit
- corporateOf or relating to companies
- industryEconomic production sector
- executiveSenior organizational leader
boardroom · CEO · Fortune 500 · multinational · high-powered · dealmaker · mogul · tycoon · negotiation · stakeholder
big-leagueminor-league
Below professional level
bush-league · small-time · amateur · minor · second-rate
big-leaguesmall-time
Of little significance
insignificant · rinky-dink · small-potatoes · penny-ante · two-bit
big-leagueamateur
Nonprofessional participant
amateurish · bush-league · unprofessional · incompetent · JV