Phrase guide

change the game

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃeɪn(d͡)ʒ ðə ˈɡeɪm/
  • General-American: /ˈt͡ʃeɪnd͡ʒ ðə ˈɡeɪm/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To revolutionize a field of endeavor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Probably from the ability of a player of a team sport who has been brought on to the field as substitute to alter the outcome of the game.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: zvrátit hru — to revolutionize a field of endeavor
  • Finnish: mullistaa — to revolutionize a field of endeavor
  • Finnish: muuttaa tilanne — to revolutionize a field of endeavor
  • French: changer la donne — to revolutionize a field of endeavor
  • Polish: rewolucjonizować — to revolutionize a field of endeavor
  • Polish: zrewolucjonizować — to revolutionize a field of endeavor