abandon the game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abandon the game" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of leaving or giving up on a game, whether it be a physical game, a video game, or a metaphorical situation. Example: "After realizing we had no chance of winning, we decided to abandon the game and call it a night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A threat to abandon the game was also made.

The Guardian - Sport

And despite the early blowout, viewers did not abandon the game.

The New York Times - Sports

During Morosini's on-pitch treatment, fans called on match officials to abandon the game.

Independent

He'll even abandon the game plan and start fighting you back.

The New Yorker

"But, after a while, man, you have to abandon the game at some point".

The New Yorker

But you also need to consider whether to abandon the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

(I can also, of course, openly abandon the game--refuse to play it. This is what most adults do).

Science Magazine

Hoffmann said that many of his friends had abandoned the game.

The New Yorker

Referee Graham Robertson abandoned the game between Comberton United and Tuddenham Rovers with Rovers leading 2-0.

The Guardian

"Otherwise I would have taken the easy way out and abandoned the game".

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, the focus has been on staying competitive for all 80 minutes and not abandoning the game plan.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abandon the game" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly establishes the 'game' being referred to. For instance, "After several failed attempts, they decided to abandon the game of trying to negotiate a peace treaty".

Common error

Avoid using "abandon the game" in highly formal documents where more sophisticated vocabulary may be expected. Consider alternatives like "discontinue participation" or "cease engagement" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abandon the game" is as a verb phrase, where "abandon" is the verb and "the game" is the direct object. Ludwig AI shows this is used to describe the act of quitting or stopping a game or activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abandon the game" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of quitting or giving up on a game or activity. As per Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and the examples indicate that the phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Science. When writing, ensure that you use "abandon the game" in contexts where the meaning is clear, and consider more formal alternatives like "discontinue participation" for professional settings. Remember also that related phrases such as "drop the game" and "quit the game" offer similar but nuanced ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drop the game

Focuses on ceasing participation, similar to abandoning.

surrender the game

Implies giving up due to defeat or overwhelming odds.

withdraw from the game

Suggests a more formal or planned departure.

discontinue the game

Emphasizes stopping the game completely, often by an external decision.

leave the game

A simpler way to express departing from the game.

quit the game

An informal way to express giving up.

vacate the game

Suggests leaving a position or role within the game.

forgo the game

Implies deliberately choosing not to participate.

resign from the game

Indicates a formal or official act of stepping down.

bow out of the game

Suggests a graceful or planned exit.

FAQs

How can I use "abandon the game" in a sentence?

You can use "abandon the game" to describe literally leaving a game due to circumstances, or metaphorically giving up on a plan or strategy. For example, "The referee decided to abandon the game due to the weather" or "They chose to abandon the game of political maneuvering".

What are some alternatives to "abandon the game"?

Alternatives include "drop the game", "quit the game", or "withdraw from the game", depending on the context and level of formality.

When might a referee "abandon the game" in sports?

A referee might "abandon the game" due to various factors such as inclement weather, safety concerns for players or spectators, or serious rule violations that disrupt the match.

Is it appropriate to use "abandon the game" in formal writing?

While "abandon the game" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "discontinue participation" or "cease engagement" in academic or business contexts for a more professional tone.