a game in hand
One game more than an opponent that one has left to play, as in a tournament. I know we're behind them in the standings, yes, but we still have a game in hand. We can still earn more points. Because they have a game in hand, the Wildcats still have a chance make the playoffs. Yeah, they have a game in hand, so what? They have to win both of their remaining games just to tie us.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.