pregame
Tailgate party time
Pregame refers to activities before a sporting event—the pregame show, pregame warmups, pregame analysis.
As a verb, to pregame is to drink alcohol before going out, typically to arrive at a party or bar already buzzed: We pregamed at her apartment before the concert.
This sense has spread beyond sports contexts to any preparatory socializing.
Small poured drinks
- beerFermented grain drink
- tailgateRear vehicle hatch
- buzzContinuous low drone
- partyGathering for celebration
keg · cooler · flask · cocktails · chug · toast · round · pour
Rear vehicle hatch
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- meetupInformal planned gathering
- grillCooking surface over fire
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
cornhole · fans · friends · crowd · tickets · jerseys · atmosphere · camaraderie
Predetermined course of action
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- formationCreation or arrangement
- lineupOrdered list of participants
- scoutingObserving to gather information
playbook · coaching · film · matchup · adjustment · offense · defense · setpiece
Baseless belief in omens
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- mantraRepeated focus phrase
- meditationFocused attention practice
playlist · locker-room · chant · visualization · focus · prayer · jersey · headphones
State of eager enthusiasm
- buzzContinuous low drone
- nervesTense apprehension
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
jitters · hype · buildup · countdown · tension · eagerness · energy · electricity
Energy-yielding nutrients, informally
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- bananaCurved tropical fruit
- pastaShaped wheat dough
protein · water · fuel · meal · snack · caffeine · loading · timing
Extending muscles or material
- joggingSlow-paced locomotion exercise
- drillsRepetitive training routines
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
- limberingBecoming more flexible
dynamic · mobility · muscles · flexibility · activation · coordination · agility · sprinting
Those who dissect data
- commentatorsThose who analyze publicly
- predictionsForecasts of future events
- deskFurniture for writing
- highlightsNotable moments emphasized
interviews · odds · experts · breakdown · coverage · studio · panel · picks
shots
Small poured drinks
party · keg · cooler · flask · cocktails · chug · toast · round · pour · liquor
tailgate
Rear vehicle hatch
barbecue · cornhole · fans · friends · crowd · tickets · jerseys · atmosphere · camaraderie · bonding
gameplan
Predetermined course of action
scouting · playbook · coaching · film · matchup · adjustment · offense · defense · setpiece · huddle
superstition
Baseless belief in omens
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- mantraRepeated focus phrase
meditation · playlist · locker-room · chant · visualization · focus · prayer · jersey · headphones · tunnel
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- buzzContinuous low drone
- nervesTense apprehension
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
butterflies · jitters · hype · buildup · countdown · tension · eagerness · energy · electricity · fever
carbs
Energy-yielding nutrients, informally
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- bananaCurved tropical fruit
pasta · protein · water · fuel · meal · snack · caffeine · loading · timing · digestion
stretching
Extending muscles or material
- joggingSlow-paced locomotion exercise
- drillsRepetitive training routines
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
limbering · dynamic · mobility · muscles · flexibility · activation · coordination · agility · sprinting · circulation
analysts
Those who dissect data
- commentatorsThose who analyze publicly
- predictionsForecasts of future events
- deskFurniture for writing
highlights · interviews · odds · experts · breakdown · coverage · studio · panel · picks · preview
- sports culturefan clubs, highlights, commentary, live reporting, analysis
- drinkingbooze, liquor, guzzling, gulping, chugging
- casual gatheringsget-together, hangout, meetup, catch-up, happy hour
- getting readyget ready, readying, be prepared, equipping, gear up
- matchdaykickoff, stadium, fans, crowd, ticket
- nightlifebars, clubbing, clubs, nightclubs, bar crawl
pregamepostgame
After athletic competition
post-match · halftime · in-game · postseason · offseason
pregameafterparty
Gathering following main event
after-party · nightcap · wind-down · closing time · last call
pregamepostgame
After athletic competition
wrap-up · aftermath · post-mortem · debriefing · cooldown
- pregame showPre-match broadcast programming
- pregame drinks
- pregame ritualHabitual actions before competing
- pregame mealFood before athletic events