ahead of the game
In a position of advantage; winning (as in a game or contest); ahead (as by making money or profit); making it easier to win or succeed.
The time you spend studying when you are in school will put you ahead of the game in college.
After Tom sold his papers, he was $5 ahead of the game.
Early; too soon; beforehand.
When Ralph came to school an hour early, the janitor said, "You're ahead of the game."
John studies his lessons only one day early; if he gets too far ahead of the game, he forgets what he read.
at --- stage of the game
At (some) time during an activity; at (some) point.
At that stage of the game, our team was doing so poorly that we were ready to give up.
It's hard to know what will happen at this stage of the game.
At what stage of the game did the man leave?
ball game
The entire matter at hand; the whole situation; the entire contest.
You said we can get a second mortgage for the house? Wow! That's a whole new ball game.
be game
To be cooperative, willing, sporting.
When I asked Charlie to climb Mount McKinley with us, he said he was game if we were.
fun and games
A party or other entertaining event.
"How was the office party?" "Oh, fun and games!"
Something trivially easy.
You know working at a newspaper isn't all fun and games.
I think he was surprised that the new job wasn't all fun and games.
Petting, or sexual intercourse.
Let's make sure to enjoy the fun and games before we leave.
(Ironically) An extraordinary difficult task.
How was your math exam? (With a dismayed expression): - Yeah, it was all fun and games, man.
game at which two can play
two can play at that game
A plan, trick, or way of acting that both sides may use.
Ситуация, в которой обе стороны могут выиграть.
Rough football is a game two can play.
Politics is a game at which two can play.
Don’t worry, two can play at that game.
Не беспокойся, еще посмотрим, чья возьмет.
game is not worth the candle
What is being done is not worth the trouble or cost; the gain is not worth the effort.
I don't want to walk so far on such a hot day. The game is not worth the candle.
game is up
game's up
jig is up
jig's up
The secret or plan won't work; we are caught or discovered.
The game is up; the teacher knows who took her keys.
The jig's up; the principal knows the boys have been smoking in the basement.