short game
Americannoun
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the aspect of golf considered in relation to the ability of a player to hit medium or short shots, as chip shots, pitch shots, and putts, with accuracy.
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a card game in which not all cards in the pack are dealt before play.
Etymology
Origin of short game
An Americanism dating back to 1850–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I actually played way better than Bryson that day, but his short game was great," Rose told me.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
“You need to play a long game, not this short game that has been so detrimental,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026
It seems as if he’s putting a lot of work into his short game.
From Slate • Aug. 17, 2024
“I’m happy. I’m happy with how I stuck in there and really happy my short game bailed me out on a day that could have been a lot worse.”
From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024
In addition I was steadily improving my short game, which has been my great handicap when pitted against Carter.
From John Henry Smith A Humorous Romance of Outdoor Life by Adams, Frederick Upham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
