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
One stadium worker noted late in the game that the night had been busier than Opening Day, the city’s unofficial holiday.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Jonah Williams, a freshman at Texas, appeared to spark some discontent from the Florida faithful late in the game.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
Various shield sigils introduced late in the game encourage this kind of conservative turtling strategy even more by adding powerful bonus effects to each successful parry.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
Fans of The Last of Us Part II will likely recognize the eatery as the place where, early in the game, Seth (Robert John Burke) calls Ellie and Dina a homophobic slur.
Ellie later returns to the restaurant, where Maria encourages Seth to apologize.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for early/late in the game
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C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Jonah Williams, a freshman at Texas, appeared to spark some discontent from the Florida faithful late in the game.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
Various shield sigils introduced late in the game encourage this kind of conservative turtling strategy even more by adding powerful bonus effects to each successful parry.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
Fans of The Last of Us Part II will likely recognize the eatery as the place where, early in the game, Seth (Robert John Burke) calls Ellie and Dina a homophobic slur.
Ellie later returns to the restaurant, where Maria encourages Seth to apologize.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Apr. 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 21 May. 2025.
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