game
game — verb
1. to find and use ways to get a personal advantage from the rules or design of an
to find and use ways to get a personal advantage from the rules or design of an organization, system, or process — often a method others would call unfair or dishonest.
Some taxpayers try to game the system by declaring fake expenses.
collocation: game the system
Aylin discovered a way to game the airline's reward programme for extra miles.
The local hospital was caught gaming patient waiting-time targets.
passive: was caught gaming
Companies often game the tax regulations to reduce what they owe.
Professional athletes sometimes game the draft rules to join a preferred team.
transitive: game + [rules/system]
- game the system
- game the rules
- game the market
- game the algorithm
- game the system's loopholes
- rig
stronger negative connotation; implies deliberate cheating rather than rule-bending
- exploit
broader; can be neutral or negative, and does not always imply dishonesty
- manipulate
applies to people or systems; 'game' is limited to systems and rules
- work around
less formal; suggests creative problem-solving without dishonest flavour
- comply
to follow rules properly rather than finding ways around them
Grammar Patterns
game + noun phrase (the system, the rules, the market)
Usage Note
The object is nearly always an abstract noun referring to a system, set of rules, or process — never a person. Frequently used in business and political contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. to spend time playing computer games or video games as a leisure activity.
to spend time playing computer games or video games as a leisure activity.
Mauricio spends most weekends gaming with his friends online.
intransitive: gaming with friends
After finishing her homework, Hoa likes to game for about an hour before dinner.
Minho's parents limit how many hours he can game each school night.
The new graphics card makes it much smoother to game at high settings.
to-game infinitive pattern
Leo prefers gaming on a console rather than a personal computer.
gaming on + [device/platform]
- game online
- game on a console
- go gaming
- spend hours gaming
- play video games
the full, more explicit expression; suitable for all registers
Grammar Patterns
game (no object)
go gaming
Usage Note
Almost always used in informal contexts. The simple form 'I game' is acceptable, but 'I play games' or 'I play video games' remains more common in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes
3. to risk money on the result of a game, race, competition, or other event in the
to risk money on the result of a game, race, competition, or other event in the hope of winning more money back.
Adaeze lost a large sum of money gaming at the casino last winter.
gaming = gambling (older usage)
The old gamblers would game on horse races every Saturday afternoon.
game on + [event] for betting
Beatrix warned her younger brother against gaming away his entire salary.
phrasal pattern: game away + [money]
In the nineteenth century, gentlemen often gamed at exclusive private clubs.
Ryan could not stop himself from gaming on card games despite the mounting debts.
- game at a casino
- game on horse races
- game away money
- game at cards
- save
to keep money rather than risk it
Grammar Patterns
game (no object)
game on + noun (horse, match, race)
Usage Note
This sense is now somewhat old-fashioned; 'gamble' is far more common in modern English. It survives mainly in historical contexts or in the derived noun 'gaming' (as in 'the gaming industry').
Common Mistakes
game — noun
1. a form of play or sport that people take part in for enjoyment, usually with a s
a form of play or sport that people take part in for enjoyment, usually with a set of rules that tell players what they can and cannot do; also, the objects and tools used to play it
Sora and his brother spent the afternoon playing board games in the living room.
collocation: board game / card game / computer game
Bao taught his classmates a game that involves guessing words from drawings.
The children put away the boxed game after they finished playing with it.
Chess is a thinking game that takes years of practice to master well.
noun + noun: thinking game / board game / party game
Zola opened the new game and spread the cards and dice across the table.
- board game
- card game
- video game
- computer game
- party game
- play a game
- win a game
- lose a game
- game rules
Usage Note
Often used in compound nouns such as board game, card game, video game, and party game to specify the type of activity.
Common Mistakes
2. a single event in which people or teams compete against each other according to
a single event in which people or teams compete against each other according to set rules, with one side trying to win
The basketball game between the two schools drew a large crowd of supporters.
noun phrase: [sport] game between [teams]
Bilal watched every game of the World Cup on television last summer.
Our team lost the game by just one point in the final seconds of play.
collocation: lose / win a game
Esteban bought tickets for the championship game months before the date.
The game was tied at two goals each until the referee blew the whistle.
- championship game
- play-off game
- home game
- away game
- win a game
- lose a game
- draw a game
Usage Note
Typically used with verbs like play, win, lose, watch, and host. The preposition against introduces the opponent: a game against Brazil.
Common Mistakes
3. one of the smaller scoring units that together form a larger contest, especially
one of the smaller scoring units that together form a larger contest, especially in tennis, badminton, and volleyball
Zola won the first game of the tennis match in under ten minutes.
collocation: win / lose a game in [sport]
The server hit two aces in a single game to take the lead quickly.
Christopher lost the next game but fought back to win the set.
Each game in tennis is scored as fifteen, thirty, forty, and game.
tennis scoring sequence: fifteen, thirty, forty, game
- win a game
- lose a game
- game point
- first game
- deciding game
- round
used in boxing and golf, not tennis
Usage Note
This sense applies mainly to tennis, badminton, and volleyball. In tennis, several games make up a set, and several sets make up a match.
Common Mistakes
4. physical activities and team sports that are part of the school day for children
physical activities and team sports that are part of the school day for children, usually involving running, throwing, and ball games
The students have a games lesson every Friday afternoon on the field.
British English: games lesson / games period
Nora prefers art class to games because she does not enjoy running.
The school requires all children to change into sports kit for games.
Games at that school includes football, netball, and rounders each week.
plural noun with singular verb: Games includes...
- games lesson
- games period
- games teacher
- games kit
- school games
- PE
abbreviation for physical education, used in both British and American English
- gym class
common in American English
- physical education
the formal name for the subject
Usage Note
Chiefly British English. In American English, PE (physical education) or gym class is more common for school sports activities.
Common Mistakes
5. a large organized event that includes many different sports, often held over sev
a large organized event that includes many different sports, often held over several days with participants from many countries or regions
The Olympic Games bring together athletes from nearly every country in the world.
proper name: Olympic Games / Commonwealth Games / Asian Games
Meera won three medals at the Commonwealth Games last year in swimming.
Hosting the Games can cost a country billions of dollars in preparation.
The Asian Games feature sports that are popular right across the continent.
- Olympic Games
- Commonwealth Games
- Asian Games
- host the Games
- the Games
- tournament
smaller, usually for one sport
- championship
focuses on determining a winner
- competition
more general term
Usage Note
Almost always used with a capital letter when part of a proper name: the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games. Takes a plural verb: The Games are held every four years.
Common Mistakes
6. the particular style or quality of performance that a player shows during a matc
the particular style or quality of performance that a player shows during a match or competition
Sivan's game has improved a lot since she started training every morning.
possessive + game: [person]'s game
The coach noticed that Esteban's game was much stronger on grass courts.
Arjun worked hard on his serve to raise the overall level of his game.
collocation: raise / improve your game
A player with a steady game will make fewer mistakes over a long match.
- raise your game
- improve your game
- strong game
- steady game
- all-round game
- form
current level of performance, not permanent style
- performance
broader term used for any activity
- playing ability
more formal and explicit
Usage Note
Often used with possessives (her game, his game) or preceded by a modifier describing quality (a strong game, a weak game, an all-round game). Common collocations: raise your game, improve your game.
Common Mistakes
7. a situation or activity that someone does not treat seriously, regarding it as a
a situation or activity that someone does not treat seriously, regarding it as a joke even when other people feel it matters
To the politician, the public hearing was just a game that he had to sit through.
collocation: just a game — dismissing something as unimportant
Trang told her brother that losing his job was not a game — he needed to find work right away.
usage note: 'not a game' in warnings
Some young drivers treat the road like a game, which deeply worries their parents.
simile: treat [something] like a game
Esme grew upset when her colleagues treated her project like a game and refused to listen to her ideas.
Lucía warned the children that the spelling competition was not a game and they should prepare seriously.
- just a game
- not a game
- treat [something] like a game
- it's all a game
- joke
more colloquial and dismissive — 'He thinks the whole thing is a joke'
- triviality
more formal — 'They dismissed her concerns as a triviality'
- serious business
the opposite — something that must be taken seriously
Grammar Patterns
treat [something] like a game
it's (all) a game to [someone]
[something] is not a game
Usage Note
Often appears in negative statements or in the fixed expressions 'it's all a game' and '[something] is not a game'. The speaker is usually frustrated that someone else is being too casual about a serious matter.
Common Mistakes
8. a secret and dishonest plan that someone uses to get money or an unfair advantag
a secret and dishonest plan that someone uses to get money or an unfair advantage by tricking other people
The newspaper revealed a game run by a fake charity that took money from elderly people.
collocation: run a game — controlling a dishonest scheme
Aaron explained how the game worked: three people pretended to compete for a prize that did not exist.
The police finally understood the game — the company was selling products that arrived broken so customers would pay for replacements.
Marta knew it was a confidence game the moment the stranger asked for her bank details.
collocation: confidence game — a fraud that wins a victim's trust first
Bilal soon realised the whole investment offer was a game designed to take people's savings.
- run a game
- confidence game
- con game
- [someone's] game is up
- honest deal
a fair and open transaction
Grammar Patterns
run a game
be a game
confidence game
Usage Note
The scheme is always dishonest. The word often appears in crime reports or warnings about fraud. 'Confidence game' (also 'con game') refers specifically to a scheme where the criminal first gains the victim's trust.
Common Mistakes
9. a particular type of business or professional activity that someone does to earn
a particular type of business or professional activity that someone does to earn money, treated as a distinct area with its own rules and habits
Eshe has been in the fashion game for over twenty years and knows every designer in the industry.
collocation: the [field] game — informal reference to an industry
Min decided to leave the teaching game after ten years and start his own company.
The publishing game has changed a lot since digital books became popular.
People in the restaurant game often work very long hours during the holiday season.
Sophia told me that the music game is tough, but she loves creating songs too much to quit.
- the fashion game
- the music game
- the publishing game
- the restaurant game
- be in the [field] game
- leave the [field] game
Grammar Patterns
the [field] game
be in the [field] game
the [field] game has changed
Usage Note
Always preceded by 'the' and a noun naming the field: 'the fashion game', 'the movie game', 'the restaurant game'. The noun phrase works as a single unit referring to that industry. Informal register; not used in formal business writing.
Common Mistakes
10. the sex trade as a line of work; the business of providing sexual services for m
the sex trade as a line of work; the business of providing sexual services for money
The documentary showed how difficult it is for women to leave the game once they are trapped in it.
usage: 'the game' as a euphemism for prostitution
The social worker estimated that dozens of young people in the district were on the game out of economic necessity.
collocation: on the game — working as a prostitute
Élise met a former sex worker who spoke about the dangers that women face while on the game.
After the police raid, several women who had been forced into the game were offered shelter and counselling.
The charity provides medical and legal help to anyone who is trying to escape the game.
- on the game
- in the game
- the game
- escape the game
- force [someone] into the game
- sex work
the modern, less stigmatised term — 'sex work is legal in some countries'
- the oldest profession
an old euphemism, now dated and sometimes ironic
Grammar Patterns
on the game
in the game
the game
Usage Note
Used mainly in the fixed phrase 'on the game' (British English) with no article. Considered a slang or euphemistic term. The tone is generally neutral-to-negative, describing the situation rather than judging the person. Avoid using this term in formal writing about sex work.
Common Mistakes
11. the world of illegal activities such as drug dealing or theft, regarded as a way
the world of illegal activities such as drug dealing or theft, regarded as a way of life that is hard to escape
Diya's brother got into the game at sixteen and spent a decade moving between drugs and petty theft.
collocation: get into the game — start a criminal lifestyle
The detective warned the teenager that life in the game only leads to prison or death.
usage: 'the game' as the criminal underworld
Eli knew several young men who had been in the game for years and could see no way out.
The former gang member now gives talks at schools about why he regrets entering the game.
Many young people in poor neighborhoods are drawn into the game because they see few other ways to earn money.
- in the game
- get into the game
- the game
- stay in the game
- out of the game
- drawn into the game
- the underworld
more formal and broader — 'the criminal underworld'
- a life of crime
descriptive rather than slang — 'he chose a life of crime'
- a straight life
a lawful, honest way of living — informal contrast
Grammar Patterns
in the game
into the game
get out of the game
the game
Usage Note
Used mainly in the fixed phrase 'in the game' without an article. Refers broadly to the criminal underworld as a whole — drug dealing, theft, robbery — rather than a specific scheme. The tone is somber and observational, not celebratory.
Common Mistakes
12. creatures living in the wild that people chase and kill either to eat or for enj
creatures living in the wild that people chase and kill either to eat or for enjoyment; also, the meat of such creatures prepared as food
The hunters went into the forest early in the morning looking for game such as deer and wild turkeys.
collocation: game such as [examples]
The restaurant is famous for serving game like venison and pheasant during the autumn season.
collocation: game like venison
In some rural areas, local people still rely on wild game as their main source of protein.
The government sets strict limits on how much game each hunter may take during the season.
Aaron's grandfather taught him how to track game through the woods without making a sound.
- game birds
- game meat
- wild game
- hunt game
- game animal
- game season
- game stew
Grammar Patterns
hunt game
game birds
game meat
wild game
Usage Note
Uncountable noun in this sense. 'Game' can refer either to the live animals ('game birds fly fast') or to the cooked meat ('game stew'). The term covers mammals (deer, rabbit, boar) and birds (pheasant, grouse, duck) that are legally hunted.
Common Mistakes
give the game away
idiomto accidentally reveal a secret or something that was meant to be kept hidden
Sora smiled when Bao walked in, and his expression gave the game away.
play the game
idiomto behave in a fair, honest, and accepted way according to the rules or expectations of a group
The other managers all played the game, so they were suspicious of Esteban's shortcuts.
the game is up
idiomused to say that a secret plan or dishonest activity has been discovered and cannot continue
When the police entered the building, the thieves knew the game was up.
ahead of the game
idiomin a position where you are more likely to succeed than others, especially because you have acted early or prepared well
By investing in new technology early, the company stayed ahead of the game.
to defeat someone by using the same methods or strategies that they use against others
The smaller company beat its big rival at its own game by offering faster delivery.
Being in a better or worse position than others because of more or less preparation or knowledge.
Maya studied all weekend to stay ahead of the game for the exam.
Our company is behind the game in adopting new technology.
To defeat someone in an activity they are good at or have chosen.
Sara beat her brother at his own game by winning the chess match.
The small startup beat the big corporation at their own game.
be a game
idiomTo not be treated seriously.
For Tom, the whole competition was just a game.
Don't take it seriously; it's all a game to them.
be on the game
idiomTo work as a prostitute.
The police arrested several people who were on the game.
She left home and ended up on the game.
be out of the game
idiomTo no longer have a chance to win or succeed in an activity.
After losing three matches, the team was out of the game.
If you miss this deadline, you're out of the game.
To still have or regain a good chance of winning or succeeding.
Despite the early loss, the player was still in the game.
The company is back in the game after a successful product launch.
fun and games
idiomActivities that are not serious and may be considered improper by others.
The party was all fun and games until the police arrived.
Running a business is not all fun and games.
game on
idiomUsed to say that a contest is still open and anyone can win.
With the last-minute goal, it was game on for the home team.
After the tie, the referee shouted, "Game on!"
game over
idiomUsed to say that success or survival is no longer possible.
For the old factory, the new regulations meant game over.
One wrong move and it's game over for the spy.
a mug’s game
idiomAn activity that is unlikely to be successful or profitable.
Investing in that risky scheme is a mug's game.
Trying to beat the casino is a mug's game.
the name of the game
idiomThe most important aspect or quality needed for an activity.
In sales, persistence is the name of the game.
For athletes, discipline is the name of the game.
The benefits of doing something are not enough considering the effort or cost.
After calculating the costs, he decided the game was not worth the candle.
For many, the long commute makes the job not worth the candle.
numbers game
idiomA way of thinking that focuses only on quantities, not on quality or individuals.
The election became a numbers game, ignoring voters' concerns.
In business, it's often a numbers game about profit margins.
off/on your game
idiomPerforming poorly or well compared to your usual level.
The golfer was off his game and missed several easy putts.
After training hard, the swimmer was on her game and won gold.
The most important or only available option of its kind.
For internet service, that provider is the only game in town.
In this small town, the local diner is the only game in town.
To tease or confuse someone by changing behavior, making them nervous.
The detective played cat and mouse with the suspect for hours.
The cat played a cat-and-mouse game with the mouse before catching it.
play somebody’s game
idiomTo do something that helps someone else's plans, often unintentionally.
By arguing, you're just playing his game.
She refused to play their game and walked away.
To be dishonest with someone, especially to gain an advantage.
Stop playing silly games with me and tell the truth.
The politician played games with the voters' trust.
The accepted standards of behavior in a particular area of life or business.
In diplomacy, knowing the rules of the game is essential.
New employees must learn the rules of the game quickly.
To have a personal stake in an organization or activity, so you care about its success.
Investors who have skin in the game make better decisions.
The manager has skin in the game because he owns company shares.
talk a good game
idiomTo speak convincingly but possibly without sincere intention.
The salesman talks a good game, but his products are poor.
Politicians often talk a good game about reform.
Used to tell someone that you can do the same trick to them.
He spread rumors about me, but two can play at that game.
If you cheat, remember two can play at that game.
up your game
idiomTo improve your performance, especially in a competitive activity.
To win the championship, the team needs to up their game.
She upped her game by practicing every day.
Used to ask why someone is behaving in a particular way.
He's being very secretive—what's his game?
You've been asking a lot of questions; what's your game?
game — adjective
1. describes a person who is ready to take on a new, difficult, or risky challenge
describes a person who is ready to take on a new, difficult, or risky challenge without needing much persuasion, especially when others might be unwilling.
Mert had never tried kayaking, but he was game to give it a go.
game + to-infinitive for willingness
When the office announced a charity skydive, several staff members were game for the idea.
game + for + noun phrase
Tariro is always game for a new adventure, from hiking across a desert to learning to surf.
The children were game to help their grandmother plant vegetables in the backyard.
predicative adjective without a noun
It was a tough climb up the mountain, but the whole team remained game until the end.
- game for the idea
- game for a laugh
- game for anything
- game to try
- game to give it a go
- remain game
- still game
Grammar Patterns
be game for [something]
be game to [do something]
Usage Note
Commonly used in British and Australian English. The adjective comes after the verb be, seem, or remain — never before a noun. A very common pattern is game for + noun or game to + infinitive.
Common Mistakes
2. describes a leg, arm, or other body part that is permanently damaged by injury o
describes a leg, arm, or other body part that is permanently damaged by injury or illness and does not work normally.
The old fisherman walked with a game leg that he had injured during a storm at sea.
game + body part noun: game leg
Despite having a game arm, Élise still managed to cook dinner for her family every evening.
used before a noun: game arm
Christopher's game knee made running difficult, but he still enjoyed long walks in the park.
The horse had a game hoof from an old injury, so the rider kept to soft ground.
Shanti's grandfather had a game shoulder that ached whenever the weather turned cold and damp.
collocation: game shoulder
- game leg
- game arm
- game knee
- game shoulder
- game hoof
- game foot
Grammar Patterns
game + [body part noun]
Usage Note
This sense is now considered old-fashioned or dated in modern English. It appears almost exclusively before a noun naming a body part (leg, knee, arm, shoulder). Learners are more likely to encounter injured, damaged, or bad used in the same position today.
Common Mistakes
game for a laugh
idiomwilling to take part in something fun or silly, especially when it involves a small risk or embarrassment.
Constanza is always game for a laugh, so she agreed to sing karaoke in front of the whole office.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Game is the broadest term, covering any structured activity people do for enjoyment, often with rules and a winner. Sport is a subset of games that requires physical exertion and athletic skill — chess is a game, but not a sport; football is both. Play is the most general and least structured: it includes free, imaginative activity between children or adults, without formal rules or a scoring system. A match is a single contest within a game or sport — you play a tennis match, which is made up of several games. So a match is an instance of a game (sense 2), whereas 'game' in its primary sense (noun/1) refers to the broader category of activity. For example: 'Football is a game that can be played as a casual kickabout (play) or as a serious match.'
Common collocations
Adverbs
Phrases
- play a game
- win/lose a game
- a game of [chess/chance/cards]
- the game is up
- ahead of the game
- be game for something
- game plan
- give the game away
- the name of the game
- beat someone at their own game
- play the game
- game on
- two can play that game
Etymology
The word 'game' comes from Old English 'gamen', meaning joy, sport, or amusement. This goes back to a Proto-Germanic root 'gamaną', which was made from two parts: 'ga-' (a prefix that makes a word together) and 'manną' (person), so the old meaning was roughly 'people together, sharing fun'. The sense of a contest with rules developed in Middle English. The verb meaning 'to play video games' is modern (late 20th century), while the verb sense 'to gamble' appeared in the 1500s. The adjective sense 'willing to try' may come from the idea of a hunting dog that is eager for the sport.