# big tent

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/big-tent
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A group, philosophy, or social or political movement that encompasses or seeks to attract a broad range of constituents or members, or views.

## Examples

- The new political party is a big tent for many different voters.
- Our sports club is a big tent for players of all skill levels.
- The organizers want their festival to be a big tent, welcoming people from all backgrounds and musical tastes.
- The charity maintains a big tent approach by working with both religious groups and secular organizations to provide food for the local community.
- By adopting a big tent strategy, the movement successfully united diverse factions under a single platform to challenge the established leadership.

## Origin

From *big* + *tent*, the term first emerged in reference to the expansive canvases erected for circuses and large-scale religious revivals. These structures were designed specifically to accommodate a diverse and numerous public, providing a single enclosure for a wide variety of attendees. The physical capacity of the structure eventually lent itself to the description of inclusive organisations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.