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

Now the game is up: The British prime minister, Theresa May, returned from her long negotiation with Brussels, which was not at all easy, and she has produced a deal with Europe, which is not at all profitable.

From Washington Post

So, it is pretty clear now that our game is up—the mortgage is foreclosed.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

"The game is up," the skipper said.

From Project Gutenberg