claim to fame

claim to fame — idiom

1. the one fact, event, or quality that makes a person, place, or thing widely know

1.idiomB2
Definition

the one fact, event, or quality that makes a person, place, or thing widely known

Example

Winning the city marathon at sixteen became Nikhil's claim to fame.

become someone's claim to fame

For years, the cafe's claim to fame was its mango bread from Cebu.

the claim to fame of a business

Common collocations
  • someone's claim to fame
  • the town's claim to fame
  • first claim to fame
Synonyms
  • calling card

    often suggests the feature someone is best remembered for, especially in work or public life

  • main attraction

    fits places or events better and focuses on what draws visitors

  • signature achievement

    more formal and usually used for something more impressive or lasting

Grammar Patterns

someone's claim to fame

the claim to fame of a place or business

be someone's claim to fame

Usage Note

Usually appears in patterns like someone's claim to fame or the claim to fame of a place or business. It often sounds slightly humorous when the thing mentioned is small or surprising.

Common Mistakes

The museum's claim of fame is its dinosaur hall.
The museum's claim to fame is its dinosaur hall.
This fixed expression uses 'to', not 'of'.
Her claim to fame is being very famous.
Her claim to fame is winning the TV singing contest.
The phrase names the thing that made someone known, not fame itself.

Etymology

English

This expression joins claim, meaning something a person can point to as their own, with fame, meaning public notice. In English, the phrase came to mean the particular deed, feature, or story that people most connect with someone or something.