download a game

Meaning

This phrase means to copy a video game from the internet onto your computer, phone, or gaming console so you can play it. It is a very common everyday expression used by gamers and casual technology users alike. It is neutral and can be used in both casual conversations and technical discussions.

Examples

• I need to free up some space on my phone before I can download a game.

  I need to free up some space on my phone before I can download a game.

• Did you download a game to play on the flight?

  Did you download a game to play on the flight?

• It took almost three hours to download a game last night because my internet was so slow.

  It took almost three hours to download a game last night because my internet was so slow.

• My brother wants to download a game that all his friends are playing.

  My brother wants to download a game that all his friends are playing.

• You can download a game for free on the app store this week.

  You can download a game for free on the app store this week.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to upload a game to my phone to play it.

  ✓ I want to download a game to my phone to play it.

  Learners often confuse 'download' (getting files from the internet) with 'upload' (sending files to the internet).

• ✗ I am going to download a game into my computer.

  ✓ I am going to download a game onto my computer.

  Use the preposition 'onto' or 'to' with devices, not 'into'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you have free Wi-Fi, you should ___ before we leave.

  💡 Get a new app to play on your phone.

  Show answer

  download a game

• I don't have enough storage space to ___.

  💡 Get a new video game from the internet.

  Show answer

  download a game