A2 Idiom Neutre

essere in gioco

to be at stake

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'essere in gioco' when something valuable—like a job, a reputation, or a relationship—is at risk of being lost or won.

  • Means: Something important is being risked or is currently at stake.
  • Used in: Job interviews, sports commentary, and serious personal discussions.
  • Don't confuse: With 'stare al gioco', which means to 'go along with a joke'.
High Stakes + Uncertainty = Essere in gioco 🎲

Explanation at your level:

In Italian, 'essere in gioco' means something is important and we might lose it. We use the verb 'essere' (to be). For example, 'La mia vita è in gioco.' It is like saying 'at stake' in English. It is simple to use because 'gioco' (game) is a word you already know.
This idiom is used when a situation is serious. It means that a result is not yet decided and something valuable is at risk. You conjugate 'essere' based on what is at stake. It's common in sports or when talking about important plans. Remember: 'gioco' stays singular.
At this level, you should use 'essere in gioco' to describe complex situations where multiple factors are involved. It often appears in news reports or work discussions. It implies a sense of urgency or high importance. You can also use 'mettere in gioco' when someone actively risks something, like their reputation or money.
This phrase functions as a metaphorical expression for risk and involvement. In B2 contexts, you'll encounter it in analytical texts or debates. It suggests that the 'rules of the game' are active and the outcome will have significant consequences. It's often paired with abstract nouns like 'credibilità', 'sopravvivenza', or 'onore'.
Linguistically, 'essere in gioco' serves as a pivot for discussing systemic risks. It highlights the precarious nature of a situation. Advanced learners should note its use in legal or political rhetoric to emphasize that fundamental principles (like democracy or justice) are currently vulnerable to change or loss depending on immediate actions.
Mastery of 'essere in gioco' involves recognizing its nuanced application in existential or philosophical discourse. It evokes the 'ludic' nature of human existence—where every choice is a move in a high-stakes game. It requires an understanding of the subtle shift between 'being at risk' and 'being a relevant factor' within a complex, multi-layered narrative or system.

Signification

Something important is being risked.

🌍

Contexte culturel

In Italy, football is more than a sport; it's a national passion. 'Essere in gioco' is used constantly in sports media to describe the 'scudetto' (championship) or relegation risks. Italian politics is famously volatile. The phrase is a staple in talk shows like 'Porta a Porta' to describe the survival of a government coalition. The concept of 'reputation' is paramount. Saying 'è in gioco la mia faccia' is a very strong statement of personal stakes. Italians often use this phrase when discussing family unity or the future of children, reflecting the high value placed on the family unit.

💡

Use it for emphasis

If you want to sound more like a native, use 'essere in gioco' instead of 'essere importante' when talking about risks.

⚠️

Singular only

Never say 'in giochi'. The idiom is fixed in the singular.

Signification

Something important is being risked.

💡

Use it for emphasis

If you want to sound more like a native, use 'essere in gioco' instead of 'essere importante' when talking about risks.

⚠️

Singular only

Never say 'in giochi'. The idiom is fixed in the singular.

🎯

The 'Qui' trick

Start your sentence with 'Qui è in gioco...' to sound very dramatic and authoritative in a debate.

💬

Reputation is key

In Italy, 'la faccia' (the face) is the most common thing people say is 'in gioco'.

Teste-toi

Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'essere in gioco'.

In questa sfida ________ la nostra amicizia.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : è in gioco

The subject 'la nostra amicizia' is singular, so we use 'è'.

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'at stake'?

Select the correct option:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Dobbiamo vincere, è in gioco il titolo mondiale.

This is the only sentence where 'in gioco' refers to a high-stakes outcome.

Match the thing at stake with the most likely context.

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : all

These are all common pairings for 'essere in gioco'.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: 'Perché sei così nervoso per l'esame?' B: 'Perché ________ la mia borsa di studio!'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : è in gioco

Both 'è in gioco' and 'c'è in gioco' are acceptable, but 'è in gioco' is the standard form.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Essere in gioco vs. Giocare

Essere in gioco (Idiom)
Risk Rischio
Importance Importanza
Giocare (Verb)
Fun Divertimento
Sport Sport

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Technically yes, but it sounds sarcastic. Use it for things that actually matter.

It is neutral. You can use it with your friends or in a business report.

'Essere' describes the state (at stake), 'Mettere' is the action of risking something.

No, that's a common mistake. Use 'Sto giocando'.

No, it is a fixed idiomatic expression.

'Essere in gioco' is the most direct and natural translation.

Yes, very frequently, both literally (ball in play) and figuratively (the title is at stake).

Yes, 'Ci sono molti attori in gioco' means there are many people/parties involved.

It means to challenge yourself or put yourself out there.

Yes, it's one of the most common idioms in Italian journalism.

Expressions liées

🔗

mettere in gioco

similar

to risk / to bring into play

🔗

entrare in gioco

builds on

to come into play

🔗

stare al gioco

contrast

to play along

🔗

mettersi in gioco

specialized form

to challenge oneself

🔗

giocarsi il tutto per tutto

similar

to go all in

Où l'utiliser

💼

Job Interview

Candidato: So che per l'azienda è in gioco una grande opportunità con questo progetto.

Intervistatore: Esatto, per questo cerchiamo qualcuno che sappia rischiare.

formal
⚽

Sports Commentary

Commentatore: Mancano due minuti. È in gioco la qualificazione ai mondiali!

Tifoso: Non posso guardare, troppa tensione!

neutral
💔

Romantic Argument

Giulia: Se vai a vivere a Londra, cosa succederà a noi?

Matteo: Lo so, è in gioco la nostra relazione.

informal
📊

Business Meeting

CEO: Dobbiamo decidere ora. È in gioco il budget del prossimo anno.

Manager: Analizziamo bene tutti i fattori in gioco prima di votare.

formal
🏛️

Political Debate

Politico A: Con questa legge è in gioco la democrazia!

Politico B: Lei esagera sempre, è in gioco solo un piccolo cambiamento fiscale.

formal
🏥

Medical Context

Dottore: L'operazione è delicata. È in gioco la funzionalità del braccio.

Paziente: Farò tutto il necessario per guarire.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Game' (Gioco) where you haven't won yet—your prize is still 'In' the game, meaning it's at risk!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant poker table. Instead of chips, people are betting things like a 'Job' contract, a 'Heart' for love, and a 'Diploma'. Everything is literally 'in the game'.

Rhyme

Se il successo vuoi trovare, molto in gioco devi mettere e sperare.

Story

Marco is a chef. He opens a new restaurant. He tells his wife, 'I spent all our savings. Essere in gioco is our house, our car, and our future.' He isn't playing a game, but his whole life feels like a bet right now.

Word Web

rischiopericolopartitascommessadestinosfidarisultatoconseguenza

Défi

Write three things that are 'in gioco' for you this year (e.g., your Italian fluency, a promotion, a move).

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Estar en juego

Virtually no difference in usage.

French high

Être en jeu

French 'en jeu' is slightly more common in technical/mechanical contexts too.

German moderate

Auf dem Spiel stehen

The verb 'stand' implies a more static position of risk.

Japanese low

がかかっている (ga kakatte iru)

Focuses on the connection/dependency rather than the 'play' aspect.

Arabic low

على المحك (ala al-mihakk)

Focuses on the 'test' or 'trial' rather than a 'game'.

Chinese low

关系到 (guānxì dào)

Less idiomatic/metaphorical, more functional.

Korean moderate

걸려 있다 (geollyeo itda)

The focus is on the 'wager' (bet) aspect.

Portuguese high

Estar em jogo

No significant difference.

Easily Confused

essere in gioco vs stare al gioco

Both contain 'gioco' and 'essere/stare'.

If there is a risk, use 'essere in gioco'. If you are just pretending or following a joke, use 'stare al gioco'.

essere in gioco vs fare il gioco di qualcuno

Contains 'gioco'.

This means 'to play into someone's hands' or help them unintentionally.

FAQ (10)

Technically yes, but it sounds sarcastic. Use it for things that actually matter.

It is neutral. You can use it with your friends or in a business report.

'Essere' describes the state (at stake), 'Mettere' is the action of risking something.

No, that's a common mistake. Use 'Sto giocando'.

No, it is a fixed idiomatic expression.

'Essere in gioco' is the most direct and natural translation.

Yes, very frequently, both literally (ball in play) and figuratively (the title is at stake).

Yes, 'Ci sono molti attori in gioco' means there are many people/parties involved.

It means to challenge yourself or put yourself out there.

Yes, it's one of the most common idioms in Italian journalism.

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