name of the game

noun

Informal.

1. the essential element, consideration, or ultimate purpose; key.

   Profit is the name of the game in business.

Word History and Origins

Origin of name of the game¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

For the brigade, the name of the game is community buy-in.

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“If we’re going up there just trying to hit home runs, it’s just not the name of the game,” Freeman said.

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Nine match rounds of the Premier League season have taken place and scoring from set-pieces has so far been the name of the game.

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If AI usage is expected to surge in the coming years, “efficiency is going to be the name of the game,” and OpenAI’s custom chip will have to “really excel” in that aspect, Windsor said.

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Steaks are the name of the game here, with at least 16 different options, including 28-day dry-aged, Australian and Japanese wagyu and kobe beef.

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