a game-changer
a significant event which completely changes the rules of the game
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
Nintendo's new Wii U aims to be a GAME-CHANGER. Games giant believes the Wii U, complete with touchscreen, HD, camera and phone, will compete with rivals Microsoft and Sony.
The Guardian
The Guardian
Did you
know?
game-changer
noun phrase
- a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
---
According to Ben Zimmer, language columnist for The Wall Street Journal, the first mention of the term game-changer came from The Atlanta Constitution’s "Bridge Forum" on June 29, 1930, in an article reporting on attempts to improve the game of bridge: "Seldom are the game-changers idle."
William Safire, at The New York Times, also provides a number of references to the phrase in recent decades, primarily from sports reporting, where athletes really do change the outcome of the game with a good play, pass or score.
Now the expression firmly belongs in the area of business jargon, and is mainly used when talking about innovation.
Here are other game-changing "game" idioms:
- ahead of the game = to have an advantage (We will need more financing if we want to stay ahead of the game)
- game plan = strategy (Let's hold a meeting to inform the team of our game plan for the product launch)
- not all fun and games = serious work (I know the assignment is in Las Vegas, but it's not all fun and games, you know)
- play games = be dishonest or deceive someone (I'm afraid Charlie's playing games with you)
---
SYNONYMS
big idea, innovation, shift in thinking
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"For many suppliers in the car industry autonomous vehicles will be a real game-changer."
noun phrase
- a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
---
According to Ben Zimmer, language columnist for The Wall Street Journal, the first mention of the term game-changer came from The Atlanta Constitution’s "Bridge Forum" on June 29, 1930, in an article reporting on attempts to improve the game of bridge: "Seldom are the game-changers idle."
William Safire, at The New York Times, also provides a number of references to the phrase in recent decades, primarily from sports reporting, where athletes really do change the outcome of the game with a good play, pass or score.
Now the expression firmly belongs in the area of business jargon, and is mainly used when talking about innovation.
Here are other game-changing "game" idioms:
- ahead of the game = to have an advantage (We will need more financing if we want to stay ahead of the game)
- game plan = strategy (Let's hold a meeting to inform the team of our game plan for the product launch)
- not all fun and games = serious work (I know the assignment is in Las Vegas, but it's not all fun and games, you know)
- play games = be dishonest or deceive someone (I'm afraid Charlie's playing games with you)
---
SYNONYMS
big idea, innovation, shift in thinking
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"For many suppliers in the car industry autonomous vehicles will be a real game-changer."
