An expression declaring that a situation has ended, especially in failure or defeat.
It's finished — you've lost, or everything has stopped.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
A declaration that a competition, effort, or situation has come to a final, often unsuccessful end.
"When our last player fouled out, I thought it was game over for us."
Game over, man, game over!
— Bill Paxton as Hudson, 'Aliens', 1986
Used to signal that someone's chances or position are completely destroyed.
"If this scandal goes public, it's game over for his political career."
The game has ended — from the screen message displayed when a player loses all lives.
It's finished — you've lost, or everything has stopped.
Originally from arcade video game screens. Now used broadly in everyday speech to signal a definitive end, often with a sense of defeat. Can be used humorously or dramatically. Extremely common in internet culture and casual speech.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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