Phrase guide

long game

noun · 4 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

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A long-term strategy or endeavor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonym: long haul
  • We were surprised that he didn't object immediately, but then we realized that he's playing the long game.
  • I'm in it for the long game.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: long haul

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The version of the game played until one team makes ten points, as opposed to the short game, which is played to five points.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Chamber's Encyclopedia: “About 1785 the experiment of dividing the game into half was tried, and short whist was the result. The short game soon came into favour; and in 1864 the supremacy of short whist was acknowledged.”

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The aspect of the game in which the strategy is to advance downfield by throwing the ball to a receiving player; the passing game.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: American-football, ball-games, football, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

The portion of the game, played with driver clubs, in which the ball is advanced down the fairway to the putting green.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: golf, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.