To throw in the towel
C1To give up; to admit defeat.
To raise the stakes
C1To increase the level of risk or challenge.
The ball is in your court
C1It's your turn to act or make a decision.
To be neck and neck
C1To be very close in a competition or race.
A game changer
C1Something that significantly alters the situation or competition.
To up the ante
C1To increase the level of risk or challenge.
To call the shots
C1To be in control; to make the decisions.
A clean sweep
C1To win all the games or competitions in a series.
To go the extra mile
C1To make a special effort; to exceed expectations.
To bend the rules
C1To break or slightly violate the rules.
To be on the same wavelength
C1To understand each other well.
To be in top form
C1To be performing at one's best.
To level the playing field
C1To make things fair for everyone involved.
To call a foul
C1To officially announce a rule violation.
To take a gamble
C1To take a risk.
To have a fighting chance
C1To have a reasonable possibility of success.
To turn the tables
C1To reverse the situation; to gain the advantage.
To play hardball
C1To use aggressive or ruthless tactics to win.
To be on the cusp of victory/defeat
C2To be very close to winning or losing.
A Pyrrhic victory
C2A victory that comes at such a great cost that it is scarcely better than defeat.
To throw the game
C2To intentionally lose a game, often for reasons of gambling or bribery.
A game of cat and mouse
C2A situation characterized by clever maneuvering and strategic outwitting between opponents.
To be neck and neck
C2To be in a very close competition.
A level playing field
C2A fair competition where everyone has equal opportunities.