the brass ring

the brass ring
informal a prize or goal that someone strives for

Willa went for the brass ring, joining the firm at a whopping salary

Origin:
with reference to the reward of a free ride given on a merry-go-round to the person hooking a brass ring suspended over the horses

* * *

US informal : a very desirable prize, goal, or opportunity

He made his first try for the brass ring when he ran for mayor a few years ago.

— often used in phrases like grab the brass ring and go for the brass ring

She's decided to go for the brass ring and start her own business.

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Main Entry:brass ring

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • (the) brass ring — the ˌbrass ˈring idiom (NAmE, informal) the opportunity to be successful; success that you have worked hard to get • The girls outdoor track team has grabbed the brass ring seven times. From the custom of giving a free ride to any child who …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Brass Ring — was a group of American studio musicians led by saxophonist and arranger Phil Bodner. They were based in New York City and were stylistically similar to Herb Alpert and other Now Sound instrumental pop groups from the 1960s. In addition to… …   Wikipedia

  • The Brass Ring — Este artículo está huérfano, pues pocos o ningún artículo enlazan aquí. Por favor, introduce enlaces hacia esta página desde otros artículos relacionados …   Wikipedia Español

  • (the) brass ring — American success or a reward that you try to achieve, often by competing against other people. Our aim is to have the best team in the league the brass ring is there guys, go and get it …   New idioms dictionary

  • Catch the Brass Ring — Infobox Album Name = Catch the Brass Ring Type = Album Artist = Ferraby Lionheart Released = September 4, 2007 Recorded = August 2006 February 2007 Genre = Folk, Indie Length = 38:49 Label = Nettwerk Records Producer = Ferraby Lionheart Reviews …   Wikipedia

  • brass ring — brass′ ring′ n. 1) cvb wealth, success, or prestige as a prize: the brass ring of the Presidency[/ex] 2) cvb the opportunity to try for such a prize …   From formal English to slang

  • The prize ring — Ring Ring, n. [AS. hring, hrinc; akin to Fries. hring, D. & G. ring, OHG. ring, hring, Icel. hringr, DAn. & SW. ring; cf. Russ. krug . Cf. {Harangue}, {Rank} a row,{Rink}.] A circle, or a circular line, or anything in the form of a circular line… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Brass ring — A brass ring is a small grabbable ring that a dispenser presents to a carousel rider during the course of a ride. Usually there are a large number of iron rings and one brass one, or just a few. It takes some dexterity to grab a ring from the… …   Wikipedia

  • brass ring — noun a rich opportunity or a prize he missed the brass ring at the Miami convention • Hypernyms: ↑opportunity, ↑chance * * * noun slang : a prize or rich opportunity missed the brass ring at the Philadelphia convention Cabell Phillips …   Useful english dictionary

  • brass ring — Informal. 1. wealth, success, or a prestigious position considered as a goal or prize: Few of those who reach for the brass ring of the Presidency achieve it. 2. the opportunity to try for such a prize. [from the practice of picking a ring from a …   Universalium

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