big game—
1. the larger animals, such as lions, etc.:
- For big game, Bushveld is that part of the Transvaal which the hunter must seek.
2. an important sport event:
- Believe it or not, the best players on your team get nervous before a big game.
3. an adventurous undertaking involving great risk and gain:
- Just look at my life, Luke. It’s all one big long game.
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase great game—
1. excellent performance in a sports event:
- It was a great game that was tightly contested throughout.
2. = big game 3:
- Disraeli was an adventurer who played the great game va banque with a courage and effrontery…
large game — = big game 1:
- The country round is full of large game, especially elephants, giraffe, and zebras.
See also: little game / small game.