only game in town
The only opportunity, activity, or resource available.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“This small shop is the only game in town for groceries.”
“This website is the only game in town for selling vintage clothes.”
“He knows that his company is the only game in town for high-paying jobs.”
“Since there are no other bus lines in this village, this route is the only game in town for commuters.”
“If you want to study marine biology in this specific region, this university is basically the only game in town for that degree.”
“During the power outage, the old radio station was the only game in town for getting emergency weather updates.”
“Because all other banks rejected their loan request, this private lender became the only game in town for the struggling couple.”
“In the remote valley, the local coal mine served as the only game in town, dictating the economic survival of every family for generations.”
The idiom appears in the mid-20th century as a colloquial allusion to a gambling venue. It refers to the singular location where one might place a wager, typically in contexts where the lack of alternatives is a matter of practical necessity rather than preference.
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away game
An athletic contest played away from the team's home field.
- 02
back in the game
Having recovered from a disadvantageous position.
- 03
big end of town
The top end of town.
- 04
blame game
A situation in which people attempt to blame others rather than trying to resolve a problem.
- 05
blow town
To suddenly leave one's residence.
- 06
change the game
To revolutionize a field of endeavor.
- 07
company town
A town, city, or other municipality in which a single large business has a controlling influence over the economy and, sometimes, over the societal structure and the local government.
- 08
fair game
Actions permissible by the rules.
Last updated August 10, 2026