big boys
The powerful ones
Big boys refers to adult men, important people, or major players in a field—those with real power or status.
If you want to compete with the big boys, you need serious capital.
The phrase often implies a competitive arena where only the capable survive.
It can also refer literally to older or larger male children, or informally to any large items: Those big boys on the grill are almost done.
Large diversified corporations
- multinationalsCorporations operating in multiple countries
- giantsBeings of immense stature
- monopoliesExclusive market control
- industry leadersDominant companies in field
blue-chip · Fortune 500 · tycoons · moguls · heavyweights · market dominance · acquisitions · mergers
Dominant figures in domain
- top dogsThose with ultimate authority
- alpha malesDominant group members
- VIPsNotable people, abbreviated
- movers and shakersInfluential, powerful people
decision-makers · influencers · elite · inner circle · power brokers · shot-callers · kingpins
Mature, responsible people
- maturityFull growth achieved
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- adultingDoing mundane grownup tasks
- manhoodAdult male status
coming-of-age · independence · wisdom · experience · parenthood · breadwinners · homeowners · employment
conglomerates
Large diversified corporations
- multinationalsCorporations operating in multiple countries
- giantsBeings of immense stature
- monopoliesExclusive market control
industry leaders · blue-chip · Fortune 500 · tycoons · moguls · heavyweights · market dominance · acquisitions · mergers · stakeholders
heavyweights
Dominant figures in domain
- top dogsThose with ultimate authority
- alpha malesDominant group members
- VIPsNotable people, abbreviated
movers and shakers · decision-makers · influencers · elite · inner circle · power brokers · shot-callers · kingpins
grown-ups
Mature, responsible people
- maturityFull growth achieved
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- adultingDoing mundane grownup tasks
manhood · coming-of-age · independence · wisdom · experience · parenthood · breadwinners · homeowners · employment · workforce
big boyslittle guys
Powerless ordinary people
small fry · lightweights · small potatoes · minor leagues · minnows
big boyslittle boys
Male children, young
small children · little ones · little guys · babies · toddlers
big boysminor leagues
Professional development tiers
bush leagues · minor leaguers · small-timers · farm teams · amateurs
big, bigger, biggest, bigly, bigness, big-hearted, biggie, bight, bighorn