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What does "play" mean?

In addition to the idioms beginning with play, also see all work and no play; child's play; devil's advocate, play; fair play; foul play; game that two can play; grandstand play; in play; make a play for; musical chairs, play; squeeze play; trump card, play one's.

See play in WNW Idioms

in (or out of) play

Sports in (or not in) the condition for continuing play: said of a ball, etc.

make a play for

Informal

to employ one's arts and wiles in order to attract, esp. sexually
to use all one's skill in order to obtain

play along (with)

to join in or cooperate (with)

play around

to engage in trifling activity
1. to engage lightly in passing love affairs
2. to be sexually unfaithful

play at

to participate in
to pretend to be engaged in
to perform or work at halfheartedly

play back

to give out or cause to give out (sounds, images, etc.) that have been recorded on (a tape, disc, etc.)

play both ends against the middle

to maneuver alternatives in order to win something, no matter what the outcome
to play off opposing factions, etc. against one another to one's own profit

play catch-up ball

Sports to adjust one's style of play so as to make up for a lack of points, runs, etc.

play down

to attach little importance, or give little publicity, to; minimize

played out

finished
worn out; exhausted
out-of-date

play fair

to play according to the rules
to behave honorably

play for time

to maneuver so as to delay an outcome, gain a respite, etc.

play into someone's hands

to act in such a way as to give the advantage to someone

play it

to act in a (specified) manner to play it smart

play off

to pit (a person or thing) against another
â in games, to break (a tie) by playing once more
to react to or interact with, as in a drama
Archaic to palm off

play one's cards well

or play one's cards right

to use one's resources in the most effective manner

play out

to play to the finish
pay out (sense ) (see phrase under pay)

play up

Informal to give prominence to

play through

to pass another foursome or group with their permission, while playing a round of golf

play up to

Informal to try to please by flattery, etc.

See play in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Idioms

play both ends against the middle

To set opposing parties or interests against one another so as to advance one's own goals.

play fast and loose

To behave in a recklessly irresponsible or deceitful manner: played fast and loose with the facts.

play for time

To use delaying tactics; temporize.

play games

Slang

To be evasive or deceptive: Quit playing games and tell me what you want.

play hard to get

To pretend to be inaccessible or uninterested, as when flirting.

play in Peoria

Slang

To be acceptable to average constituents or consumers.

play into the hands of

To act or behave so as to give an advantage to (an opponent).

play (one's) cards

Informal

To use the resources or strategies at one's disposal: played her cards right and got promoted.

play possum

To pretend to be sleeping or dead.

play the field

To date more than one person.

play the game

Informal

To behave according to the accepted customs or standards.

play up to

To curry favor with.

play with a full deck

Slang

To be of sound mind: didn't seem to be playing with a full deck.

play with fire

To take part in a dangerous or risky undertaking.

play with (oneself)

Vulgar Slang

To masturbate.

in play

Sports

In a position to be legally or feasibly played: The ball is now in play.
In a position, or rumored to be in a position of possible corporate takeover: The company's stock rose in price when it was said to be in play.

out of play

Sports

Not in a position to be legally or feasibly played.

play ball

Slang

To cooperate: The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us.

Learn more about play

» play definition

» play synonyms

» PLAY abbreviations & acronyms

» play business definition

» Play Children's Health

» play investment & finance

» play sentence examples

» play quote examples

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