have a big time—(coll.) enjoy oneself (also: have a great time):
- Christ, doesn’t time flit by when you’re having a big time and all?
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase have a big day—used of a day on which important things happen:
- We are going to have a big day tomorrow; we are going to hike up to base camp at almost 14000 feet.
make the big time—(also: reach the big time) gain recognition; win success:
- Caryl had finally made the big time as a criminal…. Local newspapers carried the story on their front pages.