- play at something
- play at somethingto pretend to be doing something. •
You are not fixing the car, you are just playing at repair work!
•Stop playing at doing the dishes and get the job done.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
play at something
Look at other dictionaries:
play back something — play back (something) to show a film or listen to a something recorded earlier. I m filming the race, so if we don t see it, we can always play back the videotape. Then you can edit the song on your computer and play it back … New idioms dictionary
play down something — play down (something) to try to make something seem less serious than it really is. He played down the seriousness of his condition because he didn t want anyone to worry. It s a sensitive issue, and they want to play it down until after the… … New idioms dictionary
play on something — play on (something) to use something for your own advantage. The news reports just seemed to play on people s emotions … New idioms dictionary
play up something — play up (something) to make something more easily noticed. The report plays up the benefits of the plan but doesn t say much about the costs. Instead of being defeated by her cancer treatment, she played it up, even showing off her bald head at… … New idioms dictionary
play at something — play at (something) to pretend to do something. The two men thought they might trick their guards by playing at sleep … New idioms dictionary
play out something — play out (something) to go through a process. We re waiting to see how the debate about more education reform will play itself out in the weeks ahead … New idioms dictionary
play with something — play with (something) to use something in a way that is not serious or careful. She s playing with a dangerous drug. The budget is just playing with numbers and doesn t make sense … New idioms dictionary
play on something — ˈplay on/upon sth derived to take advantage of sb s feelings, etc. Syn: ↑exploit • Advertisements often play on people s fears. Main entry: ↑playderived … Useful english dictionary
play upon something — ˈplay on/upon sth derived to take advantage of sb s feelings, etc. Syn: ↑exploit • Advertisements often play on people s fears. Main entry: ↑playderived … Useful english dictionary
play at something doing something — ˈplay at sth/at doing sth derived (often disapproving) to do sth without being serious about it or putting much effort into it Main entry: ↑playderived … Useful english dictionary
play with something — … Useful english dictionary
