take the game

USAGE SUMMARY

"take the game" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it usually means to win or gain control over a situation or competition. Here are some examples: 1. After losing the first set, the tennis player made a comeback and took the game, much to the delight of the crowd. 2. The company's new marketing strategy helped them take the game from their competitors and become the top-selling brand in the market. 3. My opponent was determined to take the game, but I refused to give up and ended up winning in the end. 4. The team's star player was injured, but the rest of the players stepped up and took the game, securing their spot in the playoffs. 5. In order to be successful in this industry, you have to be strategic and always ready to take the game when the opportunity arises.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We let them take the game on.

The Guardian - Sport

He didn't take the game too seriously.

The New York Times - Sports

We need to take the game more seriously.

The New York Times - Sports

Then take the game to Mexico in the second half.

The New York Times - Sports

But Rooney could not take the game apart.

Independent

Murray wins the next point to take the game.

The Guardian - Sport

"I just can't take the game for granted.

The New York Times - Sports

Venus keeps her nerve to take the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Are you kidding me? "I take the game seriously.

The New York Times - Sports

Their opponents managed to take the game, thus forcing a decisive tiebreaker.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Twenty six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take the game" to describe a specific moment where a player or team exerts dominance, such as "he decided to "take the game" over".

Common error

When writing about software or electronics, be careful not to confuse the idiomatic sense of winning or dominating with the literal sense of removing media, as in "take the game CD out of the drive". Context is key to ensuring the reader understands whether you mean victory or physical removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the game" functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears as an infinitive (e.g., "to "take the game"") or in simple past and present forms. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness in diverse structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "take the game" is a highly versatile and correct phrase that is widely accepted in standard English. Based on the data from Ludwig, it is most frequently used in sports journalism to describe a shift in momentum or the clinching of a victory. However, its usage extends into academic research and informal guides, where it can describe anything from psychological attitudes to literal actions like removing physical game media. Ludwig AI confirms that whether you are writing about a tennis match, a business strategy or a software instruction, "take the game" is a reliable and effective phrase to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

win the match

focuses specifically on the final victory of a contest rather than the momentum within it.

clinch the win

highlights the decisive moment that guarantees the final outcome.

secure the victory

implies making a win certain, often used in the closing stages.

seize control

emphasizes the act of taking dominance during a competitive situation.

dominate the play

suggests a sustained period of superiority throughout the event.

win the set

used in multi-part matches to describe winning a specific segment.

take the lead

indicates moving into a winning position while the game is still ongoing.

take the point

refers to a smaller unit of scoring, common in sports like tennis or volleyball.

assume the initiative

shifts the focus to being the proactive or attacking side.

carry the day

a more idiomatic and slightly formal way to describe emerging victorious.

FAQs

How do I use "take the game" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe winning or dominating, for example: "The striker managed to "take the game" by the scruff of the neck and score two late goals."

What is the difference between "take the game" and "win the game"?

While "win the game" refers strictly to the final result, "take the game" often implies the act of seizing control or winning a specific point during the match.

Can I use "take the game" in a formal business context?

Yes, it is often used metaphorically in business to mean outperforming competitors, such as when a company needs to "take the market" or gain a strategic advantage.

Is it correct to say "take the game seriously"?

Absolutely. In this context, it refers to one's attitude and level of commitment, which is distinct from the competitive meaning of winning.