Meaning & use
game faces
Last updated
“game faces” is a form of “game face”.
Meaning
nounpluralinformal
A serious, determined expression that people put on before a competition or difficult task, showing they are ready to focus.
Grammar: Usually plural when referring to more than one person; the singular is 'game face'. Often used with 'put on' or 'wear'.
Patterns
- put on game faces
- wear game faces
- have game faces on
The players put on their game faces as they walked onto the field.
Before the debate, both candidates had their game faces on.
She told the team to put on their game faces and focus.
Word forms
| singular | game face |
|---|
Common combinations
- put on a game face
- He put on a game face before the interview.
- wear a game face
- She wore a game face throughout the negotiations.
- have one's game face on
- The athletes had their game faces on during the warm-up.
- a serious game face
- He showed a serious game face when the coach spoke.
Synonyms and how they differ
- poker face
- A poker face hides emotions; a game face shows determination and readiness.
- serious expression
- This is a more general and neutral way to describe a serious look; 'game face' specifically suggests preparation for a challenge.
Word family
- game face noun
- The singular form, used for one person.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'game faces' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Game faces' is a plural noun phrase meaning serious expressions. Option 0 correctly uses it with 'put on'. Option 1 incorrectly uses 'a' with a plural. Option 2 uses it as a verb, which is wrong. Option 3 uses it as an adjective, which is also wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “game faces”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.