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 figuratively

It'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

With the Knicks desperately needing a bucket late in the game, watch Haliburton compete and execute his assignment defensively on the possession that Aaron Nesmith ultimately ended by taking a charge on OG Anunoby. —Eric Nehm, New York Times, 29 May 2025

Unfortunately, in that Final Four appearance, the Blue Devils blew a lead late in the game against the Houston Cougars and were eliminated from national championship contention. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

Both finalists, along with former Navy SEAL Rudy Boesch and truck driver Sue Hawk, created an alliance early in the game, steamrolling their opponents, the Pagong tribe, and securing their spot in the Final 4. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025

Against the Rangers at Rate Field on Sunday, the White Sox lost a lead late in the game thanks in part to Lenyn Sosa not having his foot on first base to secure a crucial out. —Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025