play (up)on something

play (up)on something
play (up)on something
1. Lit. to make music on a musical instrument. (

Upon

is formal and less commonly used than

on

.) •

Can you play upon this instrument, or only the one you are holding?

•

I can't play on this! It's broken.

2. Lit. to play a game on a field or court. •

Shall we play on the floor or on the table?

•

Let's play on the field. It's dry enough now.

3. Fig. to exploit something—including a word—for some purpose; to develop something for some purpose. (

Upon

is formal and less commonly used than

on

.) •

You are just playing on words!

•

You are playing on a misunderstanding.

4. Fig. [for light] to sparkle on something. •

The ref lections of the candles played on the surface of the wall.

•

The lights played on the crystal goblets.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • play politics with something — play politics (with (something)) to make something into a political issue. She accused her opponent of playing politics with affirmative action in an attempt to divide the American people. Either we can play politics or we can take these studies… …   New idioms dictionary

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  • play about (with something) — …   Useful english dictionary

  • play around (with something) — …   Useful english dictionary

  • play politics with — play politics (with (something)) to make something into a political issue. She accused her opponent of playing politics with affirmative action in an attempt to divide the American people. Either we can play politics or we can take these studies… …   New idioms dictionary

  • play politics — (with (something)) to make something into a political issue. She accused her opponent of playing politics with affirmative action in an attempt to divide the American people. Either we can play politics or we can take these studies seriously and… …   New idioms dictionary

  • play on — play upon [verb] take advantage of, abuse, capitalize on, exploit, impose on, trade on * * * exploit (a weak or vulnerable point in someone) he played on his opponent s nerves * * * play on (also play upon) [phrasal verb] play on/upon (something) …   Useful english dictionary

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