step up the game

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiom

   To improve your performance or effort in order to meet a higher standard or compete better.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; often followed by a possessive adjective (my, your, his) or 'the' before 'game'.

   Patterns

   • step up your game
   • step up the game
   • step up my game

   After losing three matches in a row, the team knew they had to step up their game.

   If you want to get promoted, you'll need to step up your game at work.

   The new competitor forced the company to step up the game and innovate faster.

Common combinations

step up your game

You need to step up your game if you want to win the scholarship.

step up the game

The coach told the players to step up the game in the second half.

really step up your game

She really stepped up her game after the training camp.

step up your game a notch

With the new manager, everyone had to step up their game a notch.

Synonyms and how they differ

raise the bar

This focuses on setting a higher standard, while 'step up the game' focuses on improving your own performance.

up your game

This is a shorter, more informal version with the same meaning.

improve

This is a general word for getting better; 'step up the game' specifically implies meeting a challenge or competition.

Opposites

Word family

step up phrasal verb

To increase or take responsibility, as in 'step up to the challenge'.

game noun

The level of performance or skill in a competitive activity.

Commonly confused: step up the game or step up?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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