major-league
major-league — noun
1. the highest grouping in professional US sports, especially baseball, where the s
the highest grouping in professional US sports, especially baseball, where the strongest players and teams compete.
Daichi spent years in the minors before finally making it to the major league.
make it to the major league — achieve entry
The major league expanded by adding two new teams from the South.
Yasmin grew up watching major league games on TV every weekend with her grandfather.
A player traded to a major league club often sees a large jump in salary.
Teams in the major league play a longer season than those in lower divisions.
- top flight
British English equivalent for the highest level in any sport
- big leagues
colloquial alternative, used both literally and figuratively
- premier league
used in UK/Europe for top-tier soccer; not used for US baseball
- minor league
the lower-level development system for US professional sports
文法句型
the + major league(s)
用法筆記
The noun form is often written as two separate words (major league) or as a plural (the major leagues). As a plural it refers to the whole system of top-level teams. This sense is the literal sports meaning; see the idiom 'the big leagues' for the figurative use.
常見錯誤
major-league — adjective
1. relating to or playing in the top-level professional sports league in the United
relating to or playing in the top-level professional sports league in the United States, especially in baseball.
Asher signed his first major-league contract at the age of twenty-two.
major-league contract — common collocation
The new stadium was built to major-league standards, with seating for forty thousand fans.
Nora collected baseball cards as a child and always dreamed of playing major-league ball.
A major-league pitcher throws faster and with more control than anyone in the minors.
Major-league scouts watched every game of the college tournament.
- top-tier
broader — can be used outside sports, but has no hyphenation rule
- big-league
interchangeable, slightly less formal
- premier
more formal; can be used for any top-level competition
- minor-league
lower level, especially in baseball
文法句型
major-league + noun
用法筆記
The adjective is hyphenated (major-league) when used before a noun. The noun form is written as two separate words (major league). Distinguish from sense 2, which is figurative and not limited to sports.
常見錯誤
2. very important, powerful, or influential within a particular field or activity —
very important, powerful, or influential within a particular field or activity — for example, a major-league problem is a very serious one, and a major-league talent is someone with outstanding ability.
The merger created a major-league competitor in the global software market.
major-league competitor — figurative business use
Antonia faced a major-league decision about whether to move her family to Singapore.
That actor is a major-league star now, but he started out in low-budget films.
The city has a major-league traffic problem that only gets worse each year.
Isabela earned a reputation as a major-league negotiator after settling the strike.
- big-time
very similar in register and meaning; 'a big-time actor'
- heavyweight
used for people or organizations with great power or influence
- top-notch
focuses on quality rather than power or influence
- small-time
opposite — limited in importance or scale
- minor
less important, as in 'a minor problem'
文法句型
major-league + noun (abstract)
用法筆記
This is a figurative extension of the sports sense. Unlike sense 1, it can apply to any domain (business, politics, entertainment). It is informal and often carries a tone of admiration or intensity. Not used in formal writing.