name of the game
What really matters
The name of the game is what matters most in a particular situation—the essential element or central point: In this business, speed is the name of the game.
The phrase often introduces a reality check about what actually drives success or determines outcomes: Customer retention is the name of the game.
- bottom lineEssential point or conclusion
- nitty-grittyEssential practical details
- nuts and boltsEssential practical details
- bread and butterPrimary source of income
- driftGradual movement, no direction
whole point · import · crux · essence · significance · substance · gist · big picture · cornerstone · meat · stuff · heart · key factor · priority · tactic · objective · approach · method
name of the gameminor detail
Insignificant specific element
side issue · afterthought · beside the point · footnote · incidental
name of the gamebeside the point
Unrelated to the matter
irrelevant · neither here nor there · immaterial · of no consequence · doesn't matter
name of the gamedistraction
Thing diverting one's attention
wild goose chase · missing the point · barking up the wrong tree · misdirection · fool's errand
name, game, names, named, naming, nameless, namely, nickname, namesake