play-off
Post-season elimination game
A play-off is a game or series of games to determine a winner when competitors are tied or to decide advancement in a tournament.
In American sports, the playoffs are the postseason games following the regular season: The team made the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
To play off can also mean to set opposing parties against each other: She played them off against one another.
Those who compete
- opponentsThose who compete against
- contendersThose seeking to win
- challengersThose who compete against
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
favorite · head-to-head · showdown · clash · matchup · duel · upset · clinch
Support or category
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- semifinalsPenultimate tournament round
- quarterfinalsPenultimate four matches
- finalsConcluding tests or matches
series · wildcard · qualifier · seeding · round · matchup · bye · venue
Desperately crucial situation
- winner-takes-allVictory claims everything
- all-or-nothingWithout partial outcomes
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
- edge-of-your-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
high-pressure · tiebreaker · decisive · crucial · pivotal · critical · elimination game · survival
Work beyond scheduled hours
- halftimeMidpoint break in games
- game dayScheduled sporting event
- home courtTeam's own playing arena
- road gameCompetition at opponent's venue
relegation · promotion · championship · title · trophy · seed · draft pick · league
rivals
Those who compete
- opponentsThose who compete against
- contendersThose seeking to win
- challengersThose who compete against
underdog · favorite · head-to-head · showdown · clash · matchup · duel · upset · clinch · decider
bracket
Support or category
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- semifinalsPenultimate tournament round
- quarterfinalsPenultimate four matches
finals · series · wildcard · qualifier · seeding · round · matchup · bye · venue · fixture
do-or-die
Desperately crucial situation
- winner-takes-allVictory claims everything
- all-or-nothingWithout partial outcomes
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
edge-of-your-seat · high-pressure · tiebreaker · decisive · crucial · pivotal · critical · elimination game · survival · crunch time
overtime
Work beyond scheduled hours
- halftimeMidpoint break in games
- game dayScheduled sporting event
- home courtTeam's own playing arena
road game · relegation · promotion · championship · title · trophy · seed · draft pick · league · division
play-offregular season
Standard competitive period before playoffs
group stage · league play · regular season game · round-robin · preseason
play-offfriendly match
Non-league sporting contest
exhibition game · practice match · scrimmage · warm-up · casual game