It implies a pause, not necessarily a permanent stop, in participation.

Temporary Pause

Used when someone redirects attention from one aspect of life to another.

Focus Shift

Originally sports-related but now used in various contexts.

Often implies that a business is not keeping up with market changes.

Suggests loss of relevance in a specific industry.

Doesn't always mean failure, might also mean choosing not to compete.

It can be a voluntary choice to focus on personal growth.

Used when someone needs an emotional break from relationships.

Being 'out of the game' doesn’t mean someone is uninterested in relationships.