1game 
/ˈgeɪm/ noun
plural games /ˈgeɪm/ noun 1 [count] a : a physical or mental activity or contest that has rules and that people do for pleasure
▪ a card game ▪ party games [=activities people do at parties for pleasure] ▪ word games [=games or puzzles that involve words] ▪ computer games ▪ poker and other gambling games ▪ Baseball is my favorite game. [=sport]
b : a particular occurrence of a game
▪ Do you want to play a game (of tennis/cards)? ▪ She scored a goal to tie the game. ▪ They won/lost the game. ▪ We played a few games of chess. ▪ That was a good game!
c : one of the games that are part of a larger contest (such as a tennis match)
▪ She won the first two games, but lost the set and the match. — see also ball game, board game, fun and games, guessing game, parlor game, perfect game, return game, shell game, video game, game of chance at 1chance, game of skill at skill 2 games [plural] a : playful activities
▪ children playing at their games
b or Games : an organized series of athletic contests ; specifically : the Olympics
▪ Let the Games begin. 3 a [singular] : the way someone plays in a sport
▪ They are known to play a very rough game. ▪ She has a strong all-around game. ▪ She needs to improve her game if she wants to win the championship. ▪ Champions can raise/lift their game [=can play better] when they're in danger of losing.
b [count] : a skill that is used in playing a particular game or sport
▪ a football team with a strong running/passing game 4 [count] a : an activity that is being compared to a game or contest
▪ He's a loser in the game of love. [=he is not successful in romantic relationships] ▪ the game of life ▪ They're playing a dangerous game by refusing to negotiate. ▪ He's trying to beat them at their own game. [=he's trying to gain an advantage over them by using the same methods that they use] ▪ the mating game [=the effort to find a sexual partner] — see also waiting game, war game, the name of the game at 1name
b : a type of work : a business or profession
▪ She's spent the last 30 years in the newspaper game. ▪ the money game ▪ the fight game [=professional boxing] — see also war game 5 [count] : something that is not meant to be taken seriously
▪ Politics for her is just a game. ▪ Was our entire relationship just a game to you? 6 [count] : a usually dishonest or unfair plan for doing something
▪ I've seen through your little game and I know what you're really after! ▪ What's his game? [=what is his real reason for doing the things he is doing?] ◊To give the game away is to make a secret plan or activity known.
▪ We can't let him know anything about it. He's too likely to give the game away. ◊If the game is up, a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and will no longer be allowed to continue.
▪ Okay, the game is up. [=the jig is up] We know you forged the letters. 7 [noncount] : animals that are hunted
▪ wild game ▪ small game — often used before another noun ▪ a game bird/fish [=a bird or fish that may be legally hunted or caught] ▪ a game preserve [=an area of land in which hunting and fishing are carefully controlled] ▪ a game warden [=a person who makes sure that hunting and fishing laws are obeyed] — often used figuratively ▪ The police aren't interested in these small-time drug dealers; they're after much bigger game. — see also big game
▪ a card game ▪ party games [=activities people do at parties for pleasure] ▪ word games [=games or puzzles that involve words] ▪ computer games ▪ poker and other gambling games ▪ Baseball is my favorite game. [=sport]
b : a particular occurrence of a game
▪ Do you want to play a game (of tennis/cards)? ▪ She scored a goal to tie the game. ▪ They won/lost the game. ▪ We played a few games of chess. ▪ That was a good game!
c : one of the games that are part of a larger contest (such as a tennis match)
▪ She won the first two games, but lost the set and the match. — see also ball game, board game, fun and games, guessing game, parlor game, perfect game, return game, shell game, video game, game of chance at 1chance, game of skill at skill
▪ children playing at their games
b or Games : an organized series of athletic contests ; specifically : the Olympics
▪ Let the Games begin.
▪ They are known to play a very rough game. ▪ She has a strong all-around game. ▪ She needs to improve her game if she wants to win the championship. ▪ Champions can raise/lift their game [=can play better] when they're in danger of losing.
b [count] : a skill that is used in playing a particular game or sport
▪ a football team with a strong running/passing game
▪ He's a loser in the game of love. [=he is not successful in romantic relationships] ▪ the game of life ▪ They're playing a dangerous game by refusing to negotiate. ▪ He's trying to beat them at their own game. [=he's trying to gain an advantage over them by using the same methods that they use] ▪ the mating game [=the effort to find a sexual partner] — see also waiting game, war game, the name of the game at 1name
b : a type of work : a business or profession
▪ She's spent the last 30 years in the newspaper game. ▪ the money game ▪ the fight game [=professional boxing] — see also war game
▪ Politics for her is just a game. ▪ Was our entire relationship just a game to you?
▪ I've seen through your little game and I know what you're really after! ▪ What's his game? [=what is his real reason for doing the things he is doing?] ◊To give the game away is to make a secret plan or activity known.
▪ We can't let him know anything about it. He's too likely to give the game away. ◊If the game is up, a dishonest plan or activity has been discovered and will no longer be allowed to continue.
▪ Okay, the game is up. [=the jig is up] We know you forged the letters.
▪ wild game ▪ small game — often used before another noun ▪ a game bird/fish [=a bird or fish that may be legally hunted or caught] ▪ a game preserve [=an area of land in which hunting and fishing are carefully controlled] ▪ a game warden [=a person who makes sure that hunting and fishing laws are obeyed] — often used figuratively ▪ The police aren't interested in these small-time drug dealers; they're after much bigger game. — see also big game
ahead of the game
: in a position or situation in which you are likely to succeed, win, etc.
▪ The company has stayed ahead of the game by meeting new government standards before they go into effect.
▪ The company has stayed ahead of the game by meeting new government standards before they go into effect.
early/late in the game
: at an early/late time in a game or sport
▪ She scored a goal early in the game. [=near the beginning of the game] — often used figuratively ▪ It's too late in the game to change the date of the meeting. [=it's no longer reasonable to change the date; the meeting is too soon for the date to be changed] ▪ She got into the computer industry early in the game. [=when the industry was new]
▪ She scored a goal early in the game. [=near the beginning of the game] — often used figuratively ▪ It's too late in the game to change the date of the meeting. [=it's no longer reasonable to change the date; the meeting is too soon for the date to be changed] ▪ She got into the computer industry early in the game. [=when the industry was new]
got game
◊In informal U.S. English, someone who has got game is very good at playing a particular game or sport, such as basketball.
head/mind games
: actions that are meant to confuse or upset someone in order to get an advantage
▪ I couldn't handle the head games that came with the job anymore. ▪ She's known for playing mind games with her opponents.
▪ I couldn't handle the head games that came with the job anymore. ▪ She's known for playing mind games with her opponents.
on the game
Brit, informal : working as a prostitute
▪ I didn't know she was on the game.
▪ I didn't know she was on the game.
on/off your game
◊If you are on your game, you are playing a sport or game well; if you are off your game, you are playing poorly.
▪ She's really on her game tonight. [=she's playing very well] ▪ Sorry I missed that shot. I'm off my game today. [=I'm not playing as well as I usually do] These phrases are also used figuratively. ▪ He seemed a little off his game during the sales presentation this morning.
▪ She's really on her game tonight. [=she's playing very well] ▪ Sorry I missed that shot. I'm off my game today. [=I'm not playing as well as I usually do] These phrases are also used figuratively. ▪ He seemed a little off his game during the sales presentation this morning.
play games 1 : to treat someone in a dishonest or unfair way in order to get an advantage
▪ Stop playing games (with me) and tell me what really happened! ▪ I'm trying to be honest with you. I'm not interested in playing games. 2 : to behave in a way that is not serious
▪ Let's stop playing games and get down to business.
▪ Stop playing games (with me) and tell me what really happened! ▪ I'm trying to be honest with you. I'm not interested in playing games.
▪ Let's stop playing games and get down to business.
the only game in town
: the only available, desirable, or valuable thing
▪ For serious home cooks, this stove is the only game in town. [=it is the only stove that serious home cooks should want to have] ▪ Our company is no longer the only game in town. [=we now have competition; another company/business is doing what we do]
▪ For serious home cooks, this stove is the only game in town. [=it is the only stove that serious home cooks should want to have] ▪ Our company is no longer the only game in town. [=we now have competition; another company/business is doing what we do]
