game is up, the

Idioms  

1. Also, the jig is up. The trick or deception has been exposed. For example, When they took inventory they realized what was missing, and the game was up for the department head. This expression dates from the mid-1800s and uses up in the sense of “over” or “lost.” The variant employs jig in the sense of “trickery,” a usage dating from about 1600.

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Example Sentences

“Stop the engine,” he said; “the game is up; the dance is over!”

From Chasing an Iron Horse Or, A Boy's Adventures in the Civil War by Robins, Edward

Dear Lauderdale:—The deed is done, the game is up, the play is played out—Reginald Reinecourt Stanford is a married man.

From Kate Danton, or, Captain Danton's Daughters A Novel by Fleming, May Agnes