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English idiom

the name of the game

Register · Informal CEFR B1
Post

Figurative meaning

the central, most important aspect of a situation

Why this phrase?

What the game is actually called — i.e., what it is actually about.

Example

“In marketplaces, liquidity is the name of the game.”

Dictionary details

Component words

game name

Tags

Related idioms

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

game changer

CEFR B2

a new development that fundamentally alters a situation or market

Neutral

name names

CEFR B1

to identify specific people, especially those linked to wrongdoing or secrecy

Neutral

ahead of the game

CEFR B2

to stay better prepared than others by anticipating future needs

Neutral

fair game

CEFR B2

a person or thing considered an acceptable target for pursuit or criticism

Neutral

skin in the game

CEFR C1

personal risk or investment in a venture, aligning your interests with its outcome

Neutral

have bigger fish to fry

CEFR B2

To have more important matters to deal with.

Informal

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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