ðə bɔːl ɡeɪm ɪz ˈoʊvər
Sports
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- the baseball or other ball game has ended
What does "the ball game is over" mean?
a situation is finished or decided
Examples
- Once they lost the key patent, the ball game was over for the startup.
- If we don't secure funding this week, the ball game is over.
- With that final vote, the ball game was over — the bill was passed.
Origin
From team sports, particularly baseball.
How to use it
Used to declare a definitive end to a competition or situation.
Similar expressions
it's all over
game over
that's a wrap
Opposites
it's still anyone's game
still in play
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "the ball game is over" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.