play down
To minimize or downplay the importance of something
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play dumb
To pretend to be unaware or ignorant of something
play first fiddle
to have the most important or leading role
play for love
Perform or work without payment
play for time
To delay or stall in order to gain an advantage
play hardball
to act tough and aggressively in a situation
play hob with
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play hooky
to skip school or work without permission
play in Peoria
to be accepted by ordinary people
play it cheap
to act in a way that is considered stingy or ungenerous
play it cool
To remain calm and composed in a difficult situation
play it for all it's worth
To take full advantage of an opportunity or situation
play it straight
To act or speak sincerely and seriously
play merry havoc with
cause confusion or disruption
play merry hell with
cause complete chaos or disruption
play Old Gooseberry
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play Old Harry
to cause trouble or chaos
play Old Harry with
cause trouble or chaos
play on someone's heartstrings
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play on words
Use words in a way that is clever or humorous
play one against another
to manipulate people into opposing each other
play one's cards right
to act cleverly and make the most of an opportunity
play one's part
To fulfill one's role or responsibility
play politics
To engage in political maneuvering or opportunism
play possum
pretend to be dead or asleep to avoid danger
play silly buggers
To fool around or behave foolishly
play someone like a fiddle
To manipulate someone easily and skillfully
play someone like a violin
to manipulate someone skillfully
play stupid games, win stupid prizes
If you engage in foolish behavior, you will suffer foolish consequences.
play the angles
To manipulate or exploit situations for personal gain
play the ball and not the man
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play the cat and banjo with
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play the deuce with
cause trouble or confusion
play the devil with
cause trouble or problems for someone
play the dickens with
cause trouble or confusion
play the fool
To act silly or foolishly, often to annoy or entertain others
play the gender card
Accuse someone of sexism to gain advantage
play the hand one is dealt
Make the best of a difficult situation
play the man and not the ball
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play the mischief with
cause trouble or chaos
play the Nazi card
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
play the ponies
to bet on horse races
play the race card
To unfairly use racial issues for personal advantage
play the same tape
Repeat the same old ideas or excuses
play the something card
use a particular tactic to influence someone
play the victim card
To pretend to be a victim to gain sympathy or advantage
play the wag
to play truant or be absent without permission
play to win
to compete with the intention of winning
play up
to emphasize or exaggerate something
play well with others
be cooperative and friendly with others
play with
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: play with.
play with a full deck
to have all one's mental faculties
play with fire
To take a risk that could have dangerous consequences
play with house money
to take risks with money that is already won
play with somebody
to interact or cooperate with someone
played out
Exhausted; out of date; no longer in vogue. Playing to the gallery, or to the gods. Appeal- ing to the less cultured taste attributed to the common people; appealing to sensational rather than artistic taste.
playing booty
A trick of dishonest jockeys — appearing to use every effort to come in first, but really determined to lose the race.
playing cards
A Presbyterian phrase, used in reproof of the term King's Books, applied to a pack of cards, from the Fr. llvre des quatre rots (the book of the four kings). Also called the Devil's Bible.
Playing Pantaloon
Playing second fiddle; being the cat's-paw of another; servilely imitating.
playing possum
See POSSUM. Pleader, Pleading. See SPECIAL PLEADING.