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
After getting into the paint a few times early in the game, Furphy’s loudest success came halfway through the first quarter.
—
Tony East, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears takes off running looking for a receiver late in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Curaçao’s Jeremy Antonisse scored in stoppage time, a goal that had been coming as Canada continued to defend poorly late in the game.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 22 June 2025
The Hagerty faithful had to feel pretty good late in the game, which did not end until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for early/late in the game
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Tony East, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears takes off running looking for a receiver late in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Curaçao’s Jeremy Antonisse scored in stoppage time, a goal that had been coming as Canada continued to defend poorly late in the game.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 22 June 2025
The Hagerty faithful had to feel pretty good late in the game, which did not end until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 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 Jul. 2025.
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