# name of the game

idiom

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

## Meaning

The essential element (needed to reach the principal goal or objective); the overall purpose.

## Examples

- Speed is the name of the game in this race.
- In this competitive market, customer service is the name of the game if you want to keep your clients.
- While technical precision is important, adaptability remains the name of the game for any leader navigating such a volatile economic landscape.

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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.