early/late in the game
idiom
: at an early/late time in a game or sport
She scored a goal early in the game.
—often used figurativelyIt's too late in the game to change the date of the meeting.
She got into the computer industry early in the game.
Examples of early/late in the game in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Delta, winners of 14 straight to roll to the 4A Western Slope League title, is 0 for 6 from 3-point land early in the game.
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Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
After the Heat began the fourth quarter ahead by 11, the Bulls opened the fourth quarter on a 19-5 run to take their first lead since early in the game and pulled ahead by three with 5:52 to play.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
The latest: Dallas won 2-1 Saturday after trailing early in the game.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025
The line was dominant, especially early in the game.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early/late in the game
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Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
After the Heat began the fourth quarter ahead by 11, the Bulls opened the fourth quarter on a 19-5 run to take their first lead since early in the game and pulled ahead by three with 5:52 to play.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
The latest: Dallas won 2-1 Saturday after trailing early in the game.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025
The line was dominant, especially early in the game.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early/late in the game
Cite this Entry
“Early/late in the game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/early%2Flate%20in%20the%20game. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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