at this stage

at this stage (of the game)

At this particular point in a process or situation. I can't give you an update at this stage of the game—I have some more work to do on your car. At this stage, I'm not sure if we're in a serious relationship or not—we haven't been dating for very long.
See also: stage, this
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at this stage (of the game)

Fig. at the current point in some event or situation; currently. We'll have to wait and see. There isn't much we can do at this stage of the game. At this stage, we are better off not calling the doctor.
See also: stage, this
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at this stage

Also, at this or that stage of the game . At this (that) step, phase, or position in a process or activity, as in I'm not sure if you can help at this stage, but perhaps you can pitch in later, or I don't need an assistant at this stage of the game. The variant uses game in the sense of "a particular process or activity." [Early 1800s]
See also: stage, this
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • at this stage (of the game)
  • bride
  • bridesmaid
  • always the bridesmaid
  • always the bridesmaid, never the bride
  • close the books
  • in particular
  • a job of work
  • touch base (with someone)
  • touch base with
References in periodicals archive
Shortage of water at this stage reduces sprouting and number of fruit.
It's important at this stage to utilize problem-solving techniques that give all involved a sense of being heard, and to look for win-win solutions.
At this stage one partner usually expresses the sexual frustration of the couple and starts asking for change.
At this stage, it is the responsibility of the teacher to inform the Special Educational Needs coordinator, who registers the child's special needs.
Take a day of rest at this stage; it can save you from extended time off later.
Autonomy at this stage is absent but dependency is extreme.
One's prior work experience should contribute significantly at this stage, since the senior librarian is expected to have a strong capacity to learn more independently about processes, individuals, and values.
Although career guidance was officially introduced to Singapore schools by the mid-1990s, the emphasis at this stage was on career education rather than on career counseling.
[15] Because employers are prohibited from directly asking applicants about disabilities at this stage, they may not solicit the same kind of information from third parties.
At this stage, the perceived scarcity of resources, especially a worsened land-to-labor ratio, may aggravate the clash of interests by intensifying competition for the appropriation of these resources both between rival political elites and between the communities they represent.
At this stage, it will also be determined if there are additional recycling and/or disposal issues required that may prevent commercial use of the new materials.
Although one's recognition of Blackness at this stage is very high, it has not been internalized.
Since the financial risk is low and accurate information often lacking, CFOs at many companies minimize financial involvement at this stage. Instead, they support a policy of discretionary spending through financial guidelines that call for distributing discretionary funds to lower management levels, allowing supervisors to approve initial spending to pursue interesting ideas.
The level of anxiety at this stage is a function of the student's ability to receive, concentrate on, and encode external stimuli.
Conversations at this level of group development could be labeled as superficial: "What's your name?" "Where are you from?" At this stage, the group leader should provide information about the expected routine and tasks and to facilitate initial conversations.