big game: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Mostly informal/jargon, formal in conservation/zoology contexts.
Quick answer
What does “big game” mean?
Large wild animals hunted for sport or considered significant to hunt.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Large wild animals hunted for sport or considered significant to hunt.
An important, powerful, or influential competitor, opponent, or objective, often used in business, politics, or sports contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The literal hunting/zoology sense is more associated with historical British colonial contexts, while the figurative business/sports use is prominent in both.
Connotations
In the UK, the term can carry stronger connotations of colonial-era hunting. In the US, the figurative 'big game hunter' (business) is a more common metaphor.
Frequency
Figurative use is slightly more frequent in American business/sports journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “big game” in a Sentence
[verb] + big game (hunt/pursue/protect)big game + [noun] (hunter/animals/reserve)adjective + big game (African/protected)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big game” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's a seasoned big-game hunter in Africa.
- The poaching crisis affects big-game populations.
American English
- She had a classic big-game rifle.
- They run a big-game hunting outfitter in Alaska.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to high-value clients, competitors, or acquisition targets. 'They're going after the big game in the tech sector.'
Academic
Used in ecology, zoology, and conservation studies for large mammal species.
Everyday
Used metaphorically for important events or challenges. 'This job interview is the big game for me.'
Technical
Specific to wildlife management, hunting regulations, and safari tourism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big game”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big game”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big game”
- Using 'big game' to mean simply 'important game/match' in sports (use 'big match/game').
- Using 'big game' as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'big-game hunter' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the term originates from hunting, it is now very commonly used figuratively in business, sports, and politics to mean a significant target or opponent.
Yes, but it is almost always hyphenated when placed before a noun (e.g., big-game hunter, big-game fishing).
'The big game' (with 'the') refers to one specific important match. 'Big game' (without 'the') as a compound noun refers to the concept of large animals or important targets/opponents in general.
In literal use, it is a standard zoological/hunting term. However, in contexts related to colonial history or endangered species, some may find it controversial due to its association with trophy hunting.
Large wild animals hunted for sport or considered significant to hunt.
Big game is usually mostly informal/jargon, formal in conservation/zoology contexts. in register.
Big game: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈɡeɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈɡeɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “big game hunter”
- “in the big game (of)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chess board where the king is a lion and the queen is an elephant — they are the most important pieces, the 'big game' you must capture.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANT OPPORTONENTS/OBJECTIVES ARE LARGE, DANGEROUS ANIMALS TO BE HUNTED.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'big game' typically refer to?