off one’s game —(of a sportsman) playing badly:
- I backed Tommy when most folk thought he was off his game!
off the game —(of a sportsman) not playing:
- When I am off the game or off work, the first few days I would like to relax at home with my family.
Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase out of the game—(of a sportsman) remaining out of play during a game:
- I was out of the game and useless. That’s my first memory as a player.
See also: on one’s game / on the game.