brass ring
Noun: 1. A valuable opportunity for success or wealth: The term refers to a chance to achieve something highly desirable, often involving financial gain, career advancement, or significant personal achievement. 2. A top prize or goal: It signifies the ultimate reward or objective in a particular endeavor.
The term "brass ring" is used to describe a singular, highly coveted chance or reward. It often implies that the opportunity is within reach but requires effort, timing, or courage to seize. It is frequently used in business, career, and competitive contexts.
- Noun:
- The promotion to vice president was the brass ring he had been working toward for a decade.
- Many startups see a successful IPO as the ultimate brass ring.
- She felt she had finally grabbed the brass ring when her novel became a bestseller.
- "to grab (or seize) the brass ring": This is the most common verb collocation. It means to successfully take advantage of a major opportunity.
- He moved to the city, determined to grab the brass ring in the finance industry.
- "to miss the brass ring": This means to fail to take or capitalize on a major opportunity.
- By being too cautious, she felt she had missed the brass ring.
- Golden opportunity (noun phrase): A very favorable chance for success. (Similar in meaning but less idiomatic than "brass ring").
- Big break (noun phrase): A sudden opportunity that leads to success, especially in entertainment or careers.
- Prize
- Jackpot
- Top prize
- Golden opportunity
The idiom originates from late-19th/early-20th century carousel (merry-go-round) rides. Riders on the outer row of horses could reach out and try to grab a small ring, usually made of iron, from a dispenser as the carousel turned. Grabbing a rare brass ring would win the rider a free ride or a prize. This literal meaning evolved into its current metaphorical sense of seizing a valuable opportunity.
- a rich opportunity or a prize
- he missed the brass ring at the Miami convention