the minors
the minors — idiom
1. the lower professional leagues that feed into the top level, especially in baseb
the lower professional leagues that feed into the top level, especially in baseball or ice hockey
Luis played in the minors for three years before reaching the major league team.
played in the minors
The club sent the young pitcher back to the minors after two difficult starts.
sent ... back to the minors
Several hockey players from the minors were called up when injuries hit the top team.
Scouts watched the catcher closely during his first season in the minors.
- the minor leagues
fuller and clearer form, especially in baseball
- lower leagues
broader sports term; not limited to North American league systems
- the majors
the highest professional level, especially in baseball
- the major leagues
fuller form of the opposite term
文法句型
play in the minors
send someone to the minors
come up from the minors
用法筆記
The phrase is strongly associated with North American sports. It is always plural and normally includes 'the'. The opposite idea is 'the majors' or 'the major leagues'.
常見錯誤
Do not use 'the minors' for children under legal age. Say 'minors' without 'the' or 'underage people' for that meaning.