hate the game, not the player

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

Alternative form of don't hate the player, hate the game.

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hate the game, not the player” mean?

Alternative form of don't hate the player, hate the game.

Is “hate the game, not the player” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.