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• A game
  A game

  noun

  a person’s best effort, abilities, or achievement.
• 'A' game
  'A' game

  noun

  one's best possible performance, esp in the phrase to bring or take one's 'A' game

A game

American  

Or A-game,

noun

Informal.

1. a person’s best effort, abilities, or achievement.

   The candidate brought her A game to the debate.

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'A' game British  

noun

1. informal one's best possible performance, esp in the phrase to bring or take one's 'A' game

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Etymology

Origin of A game

In reference to a sports contest, with the letter A indicating peak performance

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

A game 'A' game

A game like that, which bounced from back to front continuously for 90 minutes will certainly not be missed by our top teams in the Premier League, who strive to bring games under their control.

From BBC ● May 15, 2026

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame hosts Ayala and standout pitcher Caleb Trugman in the other pool A game.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt brought their A game, embracing method dressing without going overboard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026

He made his return to rugby in an England A game against France, but earned a red card for a high shot on Antoine Hastoy in the 34th minute.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2026

A game of blackjack, on the other hand, is sensitive to its past.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

An ‘A’ game from the Lakers in Denver?

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026

"I know I'm going to have to play my 'A' game, my best level I've ever played if I want to have a chance against him."

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2023

“If you’re off a bit and you’re not feeling your ‘A’ game, at this level, at night in the icy white, it’s risky as you know so he decided to take a break,” Jankowski said.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 8, 2022

It’s got to be your ‘A’ game to have a chance.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 5, 2021

“We didn’t bring our ‘A’ game, both offensively and defensively,” Ewing said.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 20, 2021