game over

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used to say that a game has ended and there is no more play, or that someone has lost.

   Grammar: Stands alone as a complete announcement; you can also say 'the game is over' in a full sentence.

   Patterns

   • it's game over
   • game over for someone

   The screen flashed 'Game over' after my last life was lost.

   Game over — you sank my final ship, so you win.

   It's game over for the team unless they score in the next minute.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformalfigurative

   Used informally to mean that a situation has failed completely or that there is no hope left.

   Grammar: Often comes after 'it's' when you talk about plans, chances, or a person's future.

   Patterns

   • it's game over for something
   • game over for someone

   If the funding is refused, it's game over for the whole project.

   One more mistake like that and it's game over for his career.

Common combinations

it's game over

The referee blew the whistle and it was game over.

game over for someone

Losing that contract was game over for the small firm.

say game over

Don't say game over yet; we still have two minutes.

game over screen

A game over screen appeared with the final score.

Synonyms and how they differ

finished

Neutral and general; it simply states that something has ended, without the dramatic 'you have lost' feeling.

all over

Informal and close in tone, but it can describe anything that has ended, not only games or failure.

done for

Informal and stronger about ruin or defeat; it usually describes a person or plan, not a game itself.

Opposites

Commonly confused: game over or over?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “game over”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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