wrap up the game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrap up the game" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that the game is coming to an end or is being concluded. Example: "Let's wrap up the game before it gets too late." Alternative expressions include "finish the game" and "conclude the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports Journalism

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

An absolute gimme of a drive volley for Djokovic to wrap up the game... but he screws it way out!

The Guardian - Sport

A brutal Federer winner off a mid-court ball to reach 30-30, and a sensational off forehand to wrap up the game.

The Guardian - Sport

He tries to wrap up the game with a drop shot but Murray is a speedster from the back of the court, reaching the ball and whipping it past a stranded Dimitrov for deuce.

The Guardian - Sport

The Brazilian pushes a ham-fisted volley wide to allow Murray to wrap up the game.

BBC

Tottenham's failure to take a number of glorious chances to wrap up the game as Arsenal desperately chased an equaliser only added to the drama.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Tsonga regains his footing, gets to advantage and then wraps up the game.

The Guardian - Sport

At 40-15, Robsquatsuand and chops before wrapping up the game.

The Guardian - Sport

That's three break points for Murray, who wraps up the game with a glorious winner on the rise.

The Guardian - Sport

Gee wound up pitching seven effective innings before giving way to the frequently shaky bullpen, which responded by wrapping up the game with two scoreless innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Sydney had effectively wrapped up the game by then with Kyah Simon scoring their third after being set up by Khamis and Siemsen then grabbed her second.

The Guardian - Sport

There was some help from England, who can really only blame themselves for not wrapping up the game despite the dreadfully slow pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports reporting, this phrase works well to transition from the play-by-play description to the final summary of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "wrap up the game" when you mean someone is deeply focused or preoccupied. In those cases, the correct idiom is to be "wrapped up in the game", which implies total immersion rather than conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrap up the game" functions as a transitive phrasal verb phrase. In this context, "wrap up" acts as the action of bringing something to a conclusion or completion. According to Ludwig AI, it is standard English and is frequently used to denote the finality of a competitive event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports Journalism

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academic Institutions

3%

Technical Documentation

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wrap up the game" is a versatile and correct English expression primarily used to describe the conclusion of a match or competition. Analysis of Ludwig data shows a heavy concentration of this phrase in sports reporting, where it signifies the final actions taken to secure a win or end a contest. It is important to distinguish this from the passive form "to be wrapped up in", which describes being absorbed in an activity. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that "wrap up the game" is a highly reliable choice for writers looking to describe the finality of a competitive event in a way that is both professional and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seal the victory

Focuses more on the act of making a win certain rather than just finishing the play

wrap things up

A more general version that can apply to meetings or tasks as well as games

finish the match

A more literal and neutral alternative often used in tennis or soccer

clinch the win

Emphasizes the decisive moment that secures the final result

put the game to bed

An idiomatic expression implying the result is now beyond doubt

bring the game to a close

Provides a more rhythmic and descriptive ending to a narrative

conclude the contest

Higher formality level suitable for official reports or academic analysis

shut the door

Metaphorical usage indicating the opponent no longer has a chance to come back

finalize the score

Focuses specifically on the numerical result being settled

end the proceedings

Very formal phrasing often used when a game is stopped for non-competitive reasons

FAQs

How to use "wrap up the game" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the final moments of a match, for example: "The striker scored a late goal to "wrap up the game" for his team."

What can I say instead of "wrap up the game"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "seal the victory", "put the game to bed", or "finish the match".

Is it "wrap up the game" or "wrapped up in the game"?

The phrases have different meanings. To ""wrap up the game"" means to finish it, while being "wrapped up in the game" means you are completely absorbed or distracted by it.

Is "wrap up the game" formal enough for a news report?

Yes, it is widely used in neutral and professional sports journalism. For a more formal tone, you might choose "conclude the match".