# change the game

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/change-the-game
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To revolutionize a field of endeavor.

## Examples

- This new software will change the game for our office.
- This cheap electric car changes the game for many families.
- The invention of the smartphone changed the game for how people communicate and access information every day.
- The young athlete's unique training style changed the game for everyone else in the league who wanted to win.
- When the chef started using local ingredients instead of expensive imports, he changed the game for the neighborhood restaurant scene.
- By introducing a sustainable energy source that was both affordable and efficient, the researchers effectively changed the game for the entire global power industry.

## Origin

Probably from the late 20th century, the phrase is thought to originate in the context of team sports. It refers to the specific capacity of a substitute player, introduced late in a match, to alter the eventual outcome through a fresh contribution to the field. While a popular explanation, the transition from the literal sporting substitution to the broader metaphorical usage remains undocumented. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.