garbage time
Lopsided game's end
Garbage time is the final stretch of a game when the outcome is no longer in doubt.
The losing team has no realistic chance of catching up, and coaches often substitute bench players to rest their starters: He only scored because it was garbage time.
The term extends to any period when the important action is over and only formalities remain.
Sudden tire failure
- running out the clockConsuming remaining game time strategically
- stat paddingAccumulating hollow performance metrics
- mercy ruleThreshold ending uneven contests
- noncompetitiveNot involving rivalry
deep bench · reserves · second-string · third-string · benchwarmers · domination · outclassed · fourth quarter
Duplicate files or substitutes
- reservesResources held back
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- role playersThose enacting assigned characters
- scrubsMedical staff uniform
fresh legs · non-starters · practice squad · audition · showcase · proving ground · experience
Lacking significance or purpose
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- trivialLacking significance or weight
- futileIncapable of producing results
- irrelevantNot pertinent
negligible · pointless · unimportant · hollow · empty · superfluous · dispensable · forgettable
Free of stress
- casualRelaxed and informal
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
- easygoingRelaxed in temperament
- stress-freeFree from tension
informal · lenient · loose · undemanding · forgiving · mop-up · winding down · coasting
blowout
Sudden tire failure
- running out the clockConsuming remaining game time strategically
- stat paddingAccumulating hollow performance metrics
- mercy ruleThreshold ending uneven contests
deep bench · noncompetitive · reserves · second-string · third-string · benchwarmers · domination · outclassed · fourth quarter · lopsided
backups
Duplicate files or substitutes
- reservesResources held back
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- role playersThose enacting assigned characters
scrubs · fresh legs · non-starters · practice squad · audition · showcase · proving ground · experience
meaningless
Lacking significance or purpose
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- trivialLacking significance or weight
- futileIncapable of producing results
irrelevant · negligible · pointless · unimportant · hollow · empty · superfluous · dispensable · forgettable · anticlimactic
relaxed
Free of stress
stress-free · informal · lenient · loose · undemanding · forgiving · mop-up · winding down · coasting · cruising
- basketballbasketball, rebound, dunk, basketball camps, dribble
- game periodsquarter, half, period, inning, set
- basketball slangairball, alley-oop, ankle breaker, baller, ballin
garbage timecrunch time
High-pressure final stretch
clutch time · sudden death · down to the wire · decisive moment · elimination game
garbage timepeak performance
Highest level of functioning
battle · dogfight · nail-biter · barn burner · thriller
garbage, time, times, timed, timing, timer, timers, timely, untimely