make it big
make it big (idiom)
/ˈmeɪk ɪt bɪɡ/
Meaning
- Achieve great success, fame, or wealth, especially in a career or industry.
- Become well-known or prominent after starting from a low or unknown position.
- Succeed beyond expectations, often suddenly or impressively.
- Gain major recognition, especially in showbiz, sports, or business.
Synonyms: succeed; thrive; rise; excel; flourish; triumph.
Example Sentences
- After years of struggling, she finally made it big in Hollywood.
- That band made it big with their second album.
- He made it big after launching his tech startup.
- Many athletes dream of making it big in the major leagues.
Origin and History
Early 1900s: The Entertainment Industry Connection
One prominent theory suggests that “make it big” emerged in the early 20th century. This theory often links its rise to the burgeoning entertainment industry, particularly in the United States. As film, vaudeville, and later radio gained immense popularity, the idea of individuals achieving widespread recognition and financial success through their performances became a common aspiration. The phrase would have perfectly captured the dream of an actor, musician, or entertainer reaching the pinnacle of their profession and gaining a “big” audience or reputation.
The Influence of “Big”
The word “big” itself has a long history of being associated with importance, influence, and scale. Consider other related idioms like “big shot” (an important person), “big deal” (something significant), or “the big time” (a major league or significant level of success). It’s plausible that “make it big” developed as a natural extension of this existing semantic field, where “big” signified a large-scale achievement or impact.
A General Aspiration
Beyond the entertainment industry, the concept of “making it big” could also have evolved from a general desire for significant advancement in any field. In a rapidly industrializing world, with increasing opportunities for wealth creation and social mobility, individuals likely expressed their ambitions for substantial success in a concise and impactful way. “Making it big” could have applied to entrepreneurs, innovators, or anyone striving for a remarkable accomplishment that would set them apart.
The Role of Imagination and Language Evolution
It’s also worth considering that idiomatic expressions often arise organically from common speech patterns and collective imagination. A phrase like “make it big” is intuitive; “big” readily conveys the idea of something grand and impactful. Therefore, it’s possible that similar expressions, or precursors to “make it big,” existed in informal language before they were widely recorded in print. The phrase’s simple yet powerful imagery likely contributed to its widespread adoption.
Earliest Printed Records and Country of Origin
While pinpointing the exact country where “make it big” first appeared can be challenging due to the fluid nature of language and limited early print records, the consensus leans towards the United States. Its strong association with the American dream and the rise of mass media industries in the early 20th century supports this idea.
The language experts and historical research often place its emergence in print around the early 1900s. Searching historical newspaper archives and literary works from that period would be crucial in unearthing early examples.
For instance, an early use that reflects the sense of achieving significant success, particularly in the entertainment or professional sphere, would be a strong candidate. Without access to a specific database of historical idiom usage, a precise date and publication remain elusive, but the early 20th century in American English is the most likely period for its widespread usage and appearance in written form.
Variants
- make it really big
- make it big time
- hit it big
- strike it big
- go big
Similar Idioms
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