big game

¹

[ big geym ]

noun

1. large wild animals, especially when hunted for sport:

   Expensive vacation packages to hunt big game like leopards or elephants in Africa are marketed almost exclusively to wealthy foreign tourists.

2. large fish, as tuna and marlin, when sought by deep-sea anglers:

   Participants in the sport fishing tournament regularly return to shore with big game exceeding 200 pounds.

3. a major objective, especially one that involves risk:

   The merger shows their commitment to the big game, in a market where half measures just won’t pay off.

Big Game

²

[ big geym ]

noun

, Football.

1. Usually the Big Game []. an alternate name for the Super Bowl, used in advertising by brands that are not official sponsors and therefore do not have permission to use the trademarked name of the NFL championship game:

   The best time to buy a new television is in late January, during sales promotions for the Big Game.

big game

noun

1. large animals that are hunted or fished for sport
2. informal.
   the objective of an important or dangerous undertaking

Word History and Origins

Origin of big game¹

First recorded in 1860–65

More About Big Game

What does Big Game mean?

The term Big Game is another way to refer to the Super Bowl—the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), a professional American football league.

Because the name Super Bowl is a trademarked term, the game is sometimes referred to as the Big Game, especially in commercial contexts, such as by advertisers who do not have permission to use the official name.

When it’s used in reference to the Super Bowl, Big Game is often capitalized, but not always.

The term big game can also be used in a general way in the context of sports to refer to a game that is especially important, as in We’ve got a big game coming up next week against a very good team.

The term big game is also used in unrelated ways, most commonly to refer to large animals hunted for sport, as in big game hunter.

Example: Stock up on snacks and drinks for the Big Game!

When is the Big Game?

The Big Game, officially called the Super Bowl, is typically held on the second Sunday in February (though for many years it was held in late January or the first Sunday in February). The start of the game (kickoff) is usually around 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.

There is usually a two-week gap between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl (meaning the Super Bowl is played two weeks after the conference championship games, with no game occurring in the weeks between).

The date of Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 is February 11. Super Bowl LIX in 2025 falls on February 9, 2025.

Where does Big Game come from?

The NFL championship game was first called the Super Bowl in 1967, and the NFL trademarked the name Super Bowl in 1969.

Use of the term Big Game to refer to the Super Bowl has become very common among brands and businesses. Because it’s so widely recognized, it allows them to reference the Super Bowl without calling it by name.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for Big Game?

• Super Bowl

What are some words that share a root or word element with Big Game? 

• big
• game

What are some words that often get used in discussing Big Game?

• NFL
• football
• championship
• party
• superb
• owl

How is Big Game used in real life?

The term Big Game is especially used by brands and businesses that do not have permission to use the name Super Bowl in advertising or marketing materials. But it’s also used as a casual synonym for Super Bowl.

Looking for the perfect place to watch the big game? Cold drafts, tasty food, and lots of big screens at all of our locations!🍺🏈

— Smoky Mountain Brewery 🍺🐻 (@SmokyMtnBrewery) February 1, 2019

Tackle your hunger with a $150 Leeann Chin Catering Package for the Big Game! Follow us on Twitter, Like this tweet and tag a friend in the replies for a chance to win! pic.twitter.com/2jAdp403lV

— Leeann Chin (@LeeannChin) January 26, 2021

A guaranteed winner for The Big Game – our FRESH #Tamales! Stack ‘em high, top them just the way you like & dig in! pic.twitter.com/QtpufQbdM9

— FRESH by Brookshire's (@FreshiesTweet) January 28, 2021

 

 

Try using Big Game!

Is Big Game used correctly in the following sentence?

I’m having a party for the Big Game—you should come!