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
Boys basketball defeated local powerhouse North Crowley and made the regional final, competing with eventual undefeated champion Plano East until late in the game, when the Panthers pulled away.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2024
While the Twins found some fight late in the game, the Yankees nonetheless secured their seventh consecutive victory and fourth straight series win.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024
Olaf Lindbom had 23 saves and five goals allowed for Hartford before being replaced late in the game by Talyn Boyko.
—From Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2024
Cormac Gibllin had three goals for Mount St. Mary’s (1-14, 1-8).
Loyola Maryland 12, Navy 10: The visiting Greyhounds (7-6, 5-2 Patriot League) went on a 3-0 run early in the game to build the lead and held off the Midshipmen (7-6, 4-3) on Friday.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2024
At the plate, the Twins set the tone fairly early in the game.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2024
Rubenstein, who was observed having breakfast at a Sarasota hotel with Angelos, Hyde and executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, walked down to the concourse and greeted a few fans late in the game.
—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 2024
This late in the game, even the smallest misstep can lead to elimination.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024
Royals past Angels Game 3: Cole Ragans falters as Angels earn 9-3 win over Royals
Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game:
Royals break through in 4th inning
Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval kept pace with Lugo early in the game.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2024
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2024
While the Twins found some fight late in the game, the Yankees nonetheless secured their seventh consecutive victory and fourth straight series win.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024
Olaf Lindbom had 23 saves and five goals allowed for Hartford before being replaced late in the game by Talyn Boyko.
—From Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2024
Cormac Gibllin had three goals for Mount St. Mary’s (1-14, 1-8).
Loyola Maryland 12, Navy 10: The visiting Greyhounds (7-6, 5-2 Patriot League) went on a 3-0 run early in the game to build the lead and held off the Midshipmen (7-6, 4-3) on Friday.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2024
At the plate, the Twins set the tone fairly early in the game.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2024
Rubenstein, who was observed having breakfast at a Sarasota hotel with Angelos, Hyde and executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, walked down to the concourse and greeted a few fans late in the game.
—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 2024
This late in the game, even the smallest misstep can lead to elimination.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024
Royals past Angels Game 3: Cole Ragans falters as Angels earn 9-3 win over Royals
Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game:
Royals break through in 4th inning
Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval kept pace with Lugo early in the game.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'early/late in the game.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share