1671. Milton, Samson, 1331. Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels, On my refusal, to distress me more; Or ake a game of my calamities?
1690. B. E., New Dictionary. What you game me? c. do you jeer me, or pretend to expose me to make a May-game of me?
1745. Hist. of Coldstream Guards, 25 Oct. If the militia are reviewed to-morrow by his Majesty, the soldiers of the third regiment of Guards are to behave civilly and not to laugh or to make any game of them.
To die game, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To maintain a resolute attitude to the last; to show no contrition.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue. To die game, to suffer at the gallows without showing any signs of fear or repentance.
1815. Scott, Guy Mannering, ch. liv. The ruffian lay perfectly still and silent. ‘He’s gaun to die game ony how,’ said Dinmont.
1836. Dickens, Pickwick (ed. 1857), p. 363. I say that the coachman did not run away; but that he died game—game as pheasants; and I won’t hear nothin’ said to the contrary.
1869. Spencer, Study of Sociology, ch. viii., p. 183 (9th ed.). Nor should we forget the game-cock, supplying, as it does, a word of eulogy to the mob of roughs who witness the hanging of a murderer, and who half condone his crime if he dies game.
1871. Times, 30 Jan. Critique on London, etc. The principal was acquitted, and though his accomplices were hung in Pall Mall at the scene of their act, they died game.
To get against the game, verb. phr. (American).—To take a risk; to chance it. [From the game of poker].