Unit 16: Play

1. play (up) to sth

To behave to get an advantage from a situation. Example: She always plays up to her teacher to get good grades.

2. play up to sb

To act in a way that makes someone like you. Example: He is playing up to the manager to get a promotion.

3. play on sth

To use someone’s feelings to your advantage. Example: The ad plays on fear to sell insurance.

4. play around

To spend time doing things without seriousness. Example: He plays around with music on his phone.

5. play along (with sb)

To agree to something, even if it is not true. Example: She played along with the joke.

6. play sth down

To make something seem less important. Example: He played down the mistake at work.

7. play sb off against sb

To cause people to compete against each other. Example: The manager played the workers off against each other.

8. play out

To happen in a particular way. Example: The plan played out as we expected.

9. play up

To not work properly. Example: My computer is playing up again.

10. play sth up

To make something seem more important. Example: The news played up the event.

11. play sb for

To trick or fool someone. Example: Don’t play me for a fool!

12. play (around) with sth

To try something without seriousness. Example: He is playing around with the new phone.

13. play at being sb

To pretend to be someone. Example: The child played at being a teacher.

14. What is he playing at?

Used to ask what someone is trying to do. Example: I don’t understand what he is playing at.

Example 1

Sentence: She played along with the surprise plan. Explanation: She agreed to the plan even though she did not know all details.

Example 2

Sentence: The children played around in the park. Explanation: They spent time having fun without a serious purpose.

Example 3

Sentence: Don’t play me for a fool! Explanation: Don’t try to trick me.