play to someone or something
- play to someone or something
play to someone or something
1. to perform something for someone or a group. •
The cast played to one of their classmates who was confined to the hospital.
•
Gerald Watson will play to a small gathering of wealthy socialites this Saturday evening.
2. to aim one's performance only toward a particular person, group, or a particular taste. •
The comedian was playing only to the juveniles in the audience.
•
It was clear that she was playing to the people in the cheaper seats.
Dictionary of American idioms.
2013.
Look at other dictionaries:
play second fiddle to something — play second fiddle (to (someone/something)) to be in a less important position than someone or something else. Radio has been playing second fiddle to television for decades now. Usage notes: sometimes used without play Etymology: based on the… … New idioms dictionary
play into someone's hands — play into (someone s) hands to do something that gives someone else an advantage over you, although this was not your intention. If we allow terrorists to disrupt our lives to that extent we re just playing into their hands … New idioms dictionary
play hell with someone or something — AND play the devil with someone or something tv. to cause difficulty for someone or something. □ You know that this cake is going to play hell with my diet. □ Your decision plays hell with all my friends … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
play into someone's hands — act in such a way as unintentionally to give someone an advantage * * * play into someone s hands see ↑play, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑hand play into someone s hands (or play into the hands of someone) : to do something that you do not realize will… … Useful english dictionary
play the devil with someone or something — Go to play hell with someone or something … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
play fast and loose (with someone or something) — in. to treat someone or something carelessly or unfairly. □ The broker played fast and loose with our money. Now we are nearly broke. □ He was playing fast and loose with his girl, so she left him … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
piss on someone or something — 1. in. to rinate on someone or something. (Usually objectionable.) □ That dog pissed on my shoe! □ Hey, watch out! Don’t piss on me! 2. in. to degrade or denigrate someone or something. (Usually objectionable.) □ He spent three paragraphs pissing … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
play to — [phrasal verb] 1 play to (someone or something) : to behave or perform in a particular way for (someone or something) in order to get approval or attention He didn t mean what he was saying. He was just playing to the crowd. He loves publicity… … Useful english dictionary
fair play to someone — spoken phrase used for saying that someone is right to do something and for wishing them good luck Fair play to Graham, he’s done really well. Thesaurus: ways of wishing someone lucksynonym luck and luckinesshyponym Main entry … Useful english dictionary
praise someone or something to the skies — praise (someone or something) to the skies : to praise someone or something very much Critics have praised the play to the skies. • • • Main Entry: ↑praise praise (someone or something) to the skies see ↑praise, 1 • • • … Useful english dictionary
screw around with someone or something — in. to toy with, fiddle with or play around with someone or something. □ Andy screwed around with his clock until he broke it. □ Look, chum! Don’t screw around with me! … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
