major
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a/the call-up to the majors
sports The opportunity for a minor league athlete to play for a major league team. ("Call up" is sometime left unhyphenated.) Primarily heard in US. Because I wasn't a high-profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors and hope to get a call-up to the majors. Most sports analysts expected the talented pitcher to receive a call up to the majors. Williams has been on fire lately. I suspect he'll get the call up to the majors sooner than later.
be called up to the majors
sports Of a minor league athlete, to be given the opportunity to play for a major league team. Primarily heard in US. Because I wasn't a high-profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors and hope to be called up to the majors. After being called up to the majors at the beginning of the year, the impressive young pitcher has already set a new record for the most strikeouts in a single season. Wait, the kid who hit that walk-off home run was just called up to the majors yesterday? Wow.
drum major instinct
An innate desire to succeed, to be recognized and respected for one's success, and to be a leader. From the sermon "The Drum Major Instinct" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Having a drum major instinct is a good thing—it propels us to be our best selves. But it can also fill you with arrogance and a selfish need for attention or praise. I don't know about promoting him to a management role. He doesn't have the drum major instinct we need. These are very solid candidates for student council president. Every single one has that drum major instinct.
get a/the call-up to the majors
sports Of a minor league athlete, to be given the opportunity to play for a major league team. ("Call up" is sometime left unhyphenated.) Primarily heard in US. Because I wasn't a high-profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors and hope to get a call-up to the majors. Most sports analysts expected the talented pitcher to get a call up to the majors. Williams has been on fire lately. I suspect he'll get the call up to the majors sooner than later.
major in (something)
To complete a college or university degree with a particular subject as its focus. Originally I thought I would major in English literature, but I switch to psychology in my second year. Samantha's majoring in economics, with a minor in history.
See also: major
major league(s)
An area, echelon, or sphere of great competition, success, power, achievement, etc. Refers to the major leagues of sports teams. I know you're new here, but you need to perform much better if you want to stay in this law firm. You're in the major leagues now. Welcome to the major league of politics, senator.
See also: major
major upset
A game, contest, or election in which the winner's victory was highly unlikely or unexpected. The team, which had barely made the playoffs after a fairly middling season, pulled off a major upset against the three-time consecutive champions. The candidate's victory is a major upset, after every single poll in the lead-up to the election put her opponent well ahead of her.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
major in something
to specialize in a certain subject in college. I majored in history in college. I want to major in math.
See also: major
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
major in
v.
To complete a long-term course of study in some subject that is one's main focus: In high school I was interested in math, but in college I majored in history.
See also: major
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
major
mod. excellent; serious; severe. (Collegiate.) This rally is, like, major! Nick is a major dweeb.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.