big dance

n. an important event, esp. when the culmination of long preparation or a series of smaller events; (hence) in sports, a tournament or championship game. Subjects: English, Sports & Recreation

Editorial Note: Usually constructed with the definite article: the big dance.

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Citations: 1917 New York Times (May 12) “Big Offensive Next Spring” p. 6: In his opinion what may be termed the great allied offensive, or, as he put it, “the big dance,” will begin next Spring. 1982 Gordon S. White Jr. New York Times (Mar. 7) “Virginia Victor—N. Carolina Wins” p. S1: [Jim] Valvano was not totally disappointed. “I feel we deserve a spot in the N.C.A.A. tournament next week,” he said. “I think it would be a shame with 22 victories not to be invited to the big dance.” 1984 John Duka Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (July 31) “Lookalikes Everywhere” p. F3: As Geraldine Stutz, the president of Henri Bendel, said, “For us, July has been okay, not spectacular. Let’s just say it’s the last beat before the big dance begins in the fall.” 1986 Newsday (New York City) (Feb. 14) “Key Brink’s Suspect ‘Intelligent’ Radical” p. 11: He has written a forthcoming book entitled “The Big Dance,” the gang’s code name for the robbery. 2004 Steven Mackay Birmingham Business Journal (Al.) (Sept. 29) “Scrushy’s 85-count indictment reduced”: Parkman says he is ready “to go the big dance in January,” referring to Scrushy’s federal trial that begins Jan. 5. 2006 New York Times (May 12) “Tony Snow Makes Debut as Press Secretary” (in Washington, D.C.): On Friday, he scheduled his first informal back-and-forth with the press, an informal, off-camera session called the “gaggle” which White House press secretaries typically hold in the mornings as a sort of warmup for The Big Dance—the formal White House daily news briefing.

Posted 30 Sep 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend