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

The Padres lost one of the catalysts to their offense before their game against the Athletics, lost a three-run lead early in the game, had two other crucial players depart midgame and then lost the game. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

The Sox got things going early in the game, with Trevor Story hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025

Overall, however, the Canucks weren’t really under duress late in the game. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

When William finally appears in person late in the game, the face-off between him and Eddie is worth the wait if only just to see these two exceptional actors go at it. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025