How to Use early/late in the game in a Sentence

early/late in the game

idiom
Definition of early/late in the gamenext
  • Her 25-yard kick-off late in the game helped seal the win.
    — Justin Gamble, CNN, 14 Oct. 2023
  • At the plate, the Twins set the tone fairly early in the game.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2024
  • But time wasn’t on the Gators side as they were forced to foul late in the game.
    — Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
  • Among the group was Disu, who had missed some easy shots early in the game.
    — Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, 24 Mar. 2023
  • Devoe’s key three late in the game helped the Blazers hold off the Spurs.
    — Afentres, oregonlive, 9 July 2023
  • Tight end Luke Deal was hurt in the game too, but briefly returned late in the game.
    — Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023
  • In that game the Tigers were called for roughing-the-kicker late in the game, and the Wildcats won 21-17.
    — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 18 July 2023
  • There’s no doubt that LeDee would love some do-overs late in the game against the Broncos.
    — Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024
  • He was benched late in the game, also a first in his career.
    — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023
  • But Stone, 25, could only laugh late in the game as the Packers pulled away.
    — Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024
  • Turner’s home run early in the game got us off to a good start.
    — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 8 Apr. 2023
  • The Niners are a bit late in the game to hire a DC, having just played a game on Sunday.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
  • Turnovers plagued UConn early in the game, and six of Seton Hall’s first 16 points came off of turnovers.
    — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2024
  • Raven said his team’s size advantage helped late in the game.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2024
  • Shamet scored 19 behind a barrage of 3-pointers late in the game.
    — The Arizona Republic, 8 May 2023
  • Ryan McLeod and Darnell Nurse scored the final two goals late in the game against an empty net to seal the 5-1 win.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 22 June 2024
  • The last few matches, where she’s had those important goals, he’s brought her in late in the game.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 18 Aug. 2023
  • Both teams were quick to get points on the board early in the game, but LSU were able to hold onto their lead all the way through.
    — Jacob Linden, Redbook, 5 Apr. 2023
  • The Spartans led 39-35 at halftime and didn't built a cushion until late in the game.
    — Larry Lage, Star Tribune, 6 Dec. 2020
  • Right tackle Rob Havenstein left late in the game and did not return.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2023
  • In its second game here, the U.S. had the Dutch on the ropes late in the game, but the coach froze and kept his substitutes on the bench, settling for a 1-1 draw.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2023
  • The Rangers’ power play made a big difference early in the game.
    — Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2024
  • His two solo shots early in the game helped boost the Red Sox to an 8-3 victory.
    — Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2023
  • This one might have been less likely, considering the spread late in the game.
    — Pat Mashburn | Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, 24 Oct. 2020
  • The Bulldogs rallied late in the game to regain the lead with just over five minutes left, holding on to secure the win.
    — Staff Report, ExpressNews.com, 15 Jan. 2021
  • The Cardinals led 20-13 late in the game but gave up a touchdown and two-point conversion.
    — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 7 Jan. 2024
  • Down by 19 early, the team’s second unit went on runs, the defense forced turnovers and Curry drained a 3-pointer late in the game.
    — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, 18 Jan. 2021
  • This late in the game, many people don't want to order eclipse glasses online.
    — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024
  • In the first five-minute extra session, Simpson’s layup gave the Buffaloes their first lead since early in the game.
    — Beth Harris, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024
  • This late in the game, even the smallest misstep can lead to elimination.
    — Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024

Some of 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.

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