PhrasesHub

The game is up

    Definitions

      • to convey that a person's deception or secret has been discovered
        Inform someone that their actions or intentions are no longer hidden or secret, and they can no longer continue with their deceit

      • to convey that a situation is over or finished
        Indicate that a particular situation, plan, or activity has come to an end and there is no way to continue or change the outcome

    Examples of The game is up

    • The thief thought he had gotten away with the theft, but the security camera footage had been taped and was now being reviewed by the police. Suddenly, the game was up for the thief.

      This example shows how the idiom "The game is up" is used to indicate that a person's attempt to conceal something has failed and they are now in trouble. In this case, the thief thought he could escape with the stolen goods, but the police had evidence against him that would lead to his capture.

    • Jennifer had been living a double life, keeping her two families secret from each other. However, her husband found out about her other family, and Jennifer knew the game was up.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom "The game is up" is used to describe a situation where a person's secret or deception has been discovered. In this instance, Jennifer had been successfully hiding her second family for some time, but her husband's discovery meant that she could no longer keep up the pretense.

    • The stock market crash left many investors wondering if they could recover their losses. Unfortunately, for some, the game was up; they had lost too much money to ever recoup their investments.

      This example applies the idiom "The game is up" to the context of financial loss. Here, the phrase is used to indicate that some investors had suffered such significant losses during the stock market crash that they would never be able to recoup their money.

    • Tim had always enjoyed playing practical jokes on his colleagues, but as his latest prank went wrong and his office mates turned on him, he realized that the game was up.

      In this example, the idiom "The game is up" is used to describe a situation where a person's prank or game has backfired, and they can no longer continue with it. In Tim's case, his practical joke had gone too far, and his colleagues were no longer willing to participate or put up with his pranks.

    • After months of avoiding the authorities, the suspected thief was finally caught and his game was up. The evidence against him was too strong to deny, and he was forced to admit to the crime.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a criminal context. The "game" in this instance refers to the act of evading the law. When the suspect is apprehended and the evidence is presented, he has no choice but to admit his wrongdoing, as the game (i.e., the deception) can no longer be sustained.

    • The company's financial mismanagement had finally been uncovered, and now the game was up for the executives responsible. They could no longer hide behind false statements and misleading data, as the truth had been exposed.

      In this example, the "game" refers to the attempts by the company executives to conceal their mistakes. When the truth comes out, they are unable to continue playing their game of deception and are forced to face the consequences of their actions.

    • The athlete's career had been plagued by controversy, and it seemed that every time he got close to success, the game was up for him again. Whether it was a positive drug test or a accusation of cheating, he was never able to avoid the scrutiny of those around him.

      Here, the "game" is the athlete's attempts to succeed despite controversy. No matter how close he comes to achieving his goals, something always seems to go wrong, preventing him from continuing his "game" any further.

    • The actor had been trying to keep his relationship a secret, but when photos of them out and about surfaced, the game was up. The media was able to put two and two together and there was no longer any denying the truth.

      This example uses the idiom in a romantic context. The "game" here refers to the actor's attempts to keep his relationship hidden. When the photos are released, the truth can no longer be denied, and the actor is forced to face the consequences of his actions.


    Conclusion

    "The game is up" is used to indicate the end of a deception or secret, or the conclusion of a situation. It can be used to warn someone that their deceit has been uncovered or to acknowledge that a particular plan or activity has come to an end with no chance of continuing.

    Origin of "The game is up"

    The origin of the idiom "the game is up" can be traced back to the idea of games or contests, where the end signifies the conclusion and the outcome. The term "game" is used metaphorically to represent any situation or activity, and "up" signifies that it is finished or over. The use of the idiom in the context of deception or secrets being discovered may have originated from the world of gambling, where a player's deception or cheating is exposed, and the game is declared over. Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used in various contexts to convey the end of a situation or the exposure of deceit.