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

When the two teams last met in the Super Bowl two years ago, that game was determined by a controversial penalty called late in the game against Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, which set up the Chiefs for a 38-35 win. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025

One of the film’s greatest liberties comes late in the game, occurring chronologically after that Bible saves John’s life. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025

And the sight of the 7-foot-3, 240-pound Mara, with his pipe-cleaner arms and legs, taking the ball in the post late in the game and bullying his way to the basket had to be heartening. —Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 28 Jan. 2025

Still, the 15-yard penalty kept the Chiefs' drive alive and gave them a boost early in the game. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025