big game

¹ American  

[big geym] / ˈbɪg ˈgeɪm /

noun

1. large wild animals, especially when hunted for sport.

   Expensive vacation packages to hunt big game like leopards or elephants in Africa are marketed almost exclusively to wealthy foreign tourists.

2. large fish, as tuna and marlin, when sought by deep-sea anglers.

   Participants in the sport fishing tournament regularly return to shore with big game exceeding 200 pounds.

3. a major objective, especially one that involves risk.

   The merger shows their commitment to the big game, in a market where half measures just won’t pay off.

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Big Game ² American  

[big geym] / ˈbɪg ˈgeɪm /

noun

Football.

1. Usually the Big Game an alternate name for the Super Bowl, used in advertising by brands that are not official sponsors and therefore do not have permission to use the trademarked name of the NFL championship game.

   The best time to buy a new television is in late January, during sales promotions for the Big Game.

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big game British  

noun

1. large animals that are hunted or fished for sport

2. informal the objective of an important or dangerous undertaking

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Etymology

Origin of big game

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

"No matter how much you say that it's just another game, it is a big game."

From Barron's

While we wait for that brilliant idea to make it to the NFL’s offices, here are the big game ads we loved the most and a few that fumbled the ball — big time.

From Los Angeles Times

You don’t want to have to sleep on the same couch your buddy spilled guacamole dip all over during the big game, do you?

From Los Angeles Times

It’s actually three times more than the lowest halftime score in the big game’s history, which came in Super Bowl IX following the 1974 season.

From Los Angeles Times

For many viewers, the Puppy Bowl has become a beloved Sunday tradition — a feel-good prelude to the big game that celebrates companionship, resilience and second chances for animals in need.

From Salon