a game to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a game to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or activity that someone perceives as trivial or not serious. Example: "To him, the entire project was just a game to him, lacking any real stakes or consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's all just a game to him.

The Guardian

Miriam, was it a game to you? Was it a game to him?

The New Yorker

But tennis is not, in any traditional sense, a game to him.

The New Yorker

It's not a game to him, though it was to Cook.

The Guardian

When Solo's father died, Scurry dedicated a game to him, wrote Solo a letter and passed along her phone number.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Rockets ran only about thirty plays a game to him; initially, his American fame resulted from his height and his off-court persona.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It was just a regular game to him," wide receiver Hakeem Nicks said.

The New York Times - Sports

Daughter Dawn Astle said: "At the start of the season, (Albion chairman Jeremy) Peace promised to honour Dad and our efforts to raise awareness of this really important issue by dedicating a home game to him.

BBC

"I went to buy Ian a game to cheer him up and we saw Garlands was for sale.

The Guardian

It's no secret that this guy is a championship performer and you have to be on your A game to beat him".

The Guardian - Sport

Manager Joe Torre said Giambi would probably play designated hitter for at least a game, to give him a rest after six consecutive starts at first base in National League parks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a game to him" to indicate that someone is not taking a situation or activity seriously, often implying a lack of responsibility or emotional investment. Be mindful of the context, as it can sometimes suggest a negative or dismissive attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "a game to him" when the subject's actions have serious consequences for others, as it can diminish the impact of their behavior. Ensure the phrasing accurately reflects the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a game to him" functions as a predicate nominative or a subject complement, attributing a quality or characteristic (lack of seriousness) to a person. Ludwig provides examples showing its use to describe someone's attitude towards a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a game to him" is used to describe a situation where someone isn't taking something seriously, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral to informal register. This phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, although context is key as it often implies criticism or disapproval. When employing this phrase, consider whether it accurately reflects the subject's attitude, avoiding its use in situations with severe consequences where such flippancy would be inappropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trivial to him

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance someone attaches to something.

unimportant to him

Highlights the lack of importance from the perspective of the person.

not serious to him

Focuses on the lack of gravity or earnestness in someone's approach.

he doesn't take it seriously

Expresses the lack of a serious attitude or engagement.

he sees it as a joke

Implies something is perceived as humorous or not deserving of respect.

he views it lightly

Suggests a lack of deep consideration or concern.

he doesn't care about it

Indicates indifference or lack of interest.

he disregards it

Shows a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something.

he brushes it off

Suggests dismissing something quickly and without much thought.

he minimizes it

Expresses the act of reducing the perceived importance or significance.

FAQs

How can I use "a game to him" in a sentence?

You can use "a game to him" to describe someone who treats a serious situation lightly. For example, "The consequences of his actions were severe, but it was all "a game to him"."

What's a more formal way to say "a game to him"?

A more formal alternative could be "he does not regard it with due seriousness" or "he treats it frivolously". These phrases maintain the meaning while sounding more appropriate in a formal context.

Is it always negative to say something is "a game to him"?

While often negative, implying a lack of seriousness or responsibility, it could also suggest someone handles pressure well by not getting stressed. The context is crucial.

What's the difference between ""a game to him"" and "a joke to him"?

"A game to him" implies a lack of seriousness, whereas "a joke to him" suggests something is seen as humorous or not worthy of respect. The former is broader, while the latter is specifically about humor.