withdraw the game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "withdraw the game" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in situations where you wish to withdraw from a game or competition, or have to forfeit or give up for any reason. For example, "Due to illness, the team had to withdraw the game, resulting in an automatic loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Pokémon Company, which licenses the franchise, said in August that Niantic was collating all the requests to withdraw the game from certain areas, or to add new pokestops where gamers can collect virtual goods.

The Guardian - Tech

Revived years later on the ill-fated Sega CD, the game would, alongside Mortal Kombat, form the basis of a committee hearing in the US Senate to address issues of violence and sexuality in the video game industry – a controversy that compelled retailers to withdraw the game.

The Guardian - Games

Jim Cooper, general manager of corporate affairs at Target, said that the decision to withdraw the game had not been taken lightly.

BBC

The Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender, criticised the selection, stating that "BAFTA should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors – ignoring contracts, rights and liability", asking for either BAFTA or Sony to withdraw the game from the award.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To cap it all, this month its Vietnamese creator, Nguyen Ha Dong, suddenly withdrew the game from download sites such as Google Play and Apple's App Store.

The Economist

"I started getting stuff sent to my email: 'Oh I saw your game on Greenlight and I hope you kill yourself.'" She withdrew the game, only to resubmit later, more determined.

The Guardian - Tech

It's interesting to watch the Bridget Jones franchise withdraw from the game that it helped define fifteen years ago.

The New Yorker

The other, Mariano Rivera, was on a brief vacation, resting the knee and oblique injuries that compelled him to withdraw from the game.

The New York Times

The decision to withdraw from the game was seen as the biggest victory yet for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.

The Washington Post

All this, and Dimitri Yachvili recovered from the back trouble that cause him to withdraw from the game(s) against Ireland.

The Guardian - Sport

Some even attacked their own team's bus, leading the goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic to withdraw from the game after he was reportedly struck by a firework.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "withdraw the game", ensure the context is clear regarding who or what is being withdrawn. Specify the reason for withdrawal to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "withdraw the game" when referring to minor adjustments or alterations to a game. This phrase implies a complete removal or cancellation, not a simple change in rules or gameplay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "withdraw the game" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of removing or cancelling a game from availability or participation. This can range from physical products being retracted from the market to a team forfeiting a competition. Ludwig confirms the usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "withdraw the game" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of removing a game from play, sale, or distribution. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct, although its frequency is rare. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase has a neutral register and serves to communicate the action of removal or cancellation. While grammatically sound, it's essential to provide context regarding the reason for withdrawal to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "cancel the game" and "forfeit the match", offering alternatives with slight semantic variations. When using "withdraw the game", be sure that a complete removal is intended, not simply a minor adjustment to the game.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cancel the game

Highlights the termination of a scheduled game or match.

forfeit the match

Focuses specifically on competitive scenarios where a team or individual gives up their chance to play.

retract the game's release

Emphasizes the action of taking back a game from distribution, more suited for video games or commercially available products.

pull the game from shelves

Suggests a physical removal of a game (typically a product) from retail locations.

remove the game from sale

Focuses on stopping the sale of a game, typically for commercial or ethical reasons.

abandon the game

Suggests leaving a game in progress, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

suspend the game

Highlights a temporary interruption or removal of the game, often due to rule violations or external factors.

bow out of the game

Implies a voluntary withdrawal, often with a sense of formality or finality.

retire from the game

Signifies a permanent departure from the activity, usually by an individual player.

cease the game's operation

Suggests stopping the function or running of a game, usually in the context of online or service-based games.

FAQs

What does it mean to "withdraw the game"?

To "withdraw the game" means to remove a game from being available, whether it's a product being taken off the market, a team forfeiting a competition, or a service being discontinued.

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

In more formal contexts, you could say "cancel the game" or "forfeit the match", depending on the specific situation.

When is it appropriate to use "withdraw the game" instead of "cancel the game"?

"Withdraw the game" is suitable when the removal is due to specific reasons, like ethical concerns or licensing issues. "Cancel the game" is more general and applies to any termination of a planned game.

What are some situations where a company might "withdraw the game"?

A company might "withdraw the game" due to controversies, legal challenges, negative feedback, or if the game is no longer profitable or sustainable.