ENGLISH
REFERENCE

claim to fame

idiom
Meaning

That for which one has bragging rights; one’s reason for being well-known or famous.


Examples
SIMPLE

His only claim to fame is winning a local pie contest.

CONTEXTUAL

The small town's main claim to fame is the historic bridge built over a century ago.

COMPLEX

While the aging actor had enjoyed a long career, his primary claim to fame remained the minor role he played in a cult classic film decades ago.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    15 minutes of fame

    A very short time in the spotlight or brief flurry with fame, after which the person or subject involved is quickly forgotten.

  2. 02

    claim someone's life

    To lead to someone's death.

  3. 03

    house of ill fame

    A brothel

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