# the game is up

idiom

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

## Meaning

Secret plans or activities have been revealed, usually leading to their failure.

## Examples

- The police caught the thief, so the game is up.
- When the boss walked in and saw the fake report on the desk, he told the employee that the game is up.
- After the undercover investigator revealed the hidden documents to the board of directors, the corrupt manager realized the game is up and began packing his office.

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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.