play games with someone—act cunningly or dishonestly towards a person: Don’t try to play games with me. You’re not nearly as clever as you think you are. play with someone—treat smb.’s feelings or affections in a casual and irresponsible way: I feel a pang of remorse because she may love me seriously, although I am […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Play games and Play the game
play games—act cunningly or dishonestly towards a person: Don’t play games, Mona. I know about the theft, and I know that you know about it. play the game—observe the rules or conventions: You can’t deny the role that competitiveness plays in raising standards. So you have to play the game if you want to succeed.
Difference between Play down to someone and Play up to someone
play down to someone—deliberately talk to or behave towards smb. so that the person does not feel inferior: Joe Mystic does not play down to his audience. He plays to and has fun with his audience. play up to someone— 1. flatter a person (in order to win favor for oneself ): Are you the […]
Difference between Play donkey and Play donkey-drop
play donkey—take part in a simple card game played with special cards: Rachel forced us to play donkey with her. For some reason she kept winning and I’m always losing. play donkey-drop —(cricket, tennis, etc.) hit a slow ball so that it travels in a high curve: He is content to play “donkey drops” back […]
Difference between Play by ear and Play it by ear
play by ear—play music without notes by relying on one’s sense of tune and harmony: In fact I can only play by ear and have never been able to read music. play it by ear—act in a situation taking things as they come with no prior plans: I’m still not sure what I’ll do when […]
Difference between Play ball and Play the ball
play ball— 1. engage in a sport such as baseball, soccer, etc.: My buddies couldn’t decide where we wanted to play ball, so we gave up and went to a movie instead. 2. go along with a person; cooperate willingly in a plan or activity: I might have played ball just a little, but I […]
Difference between Play at something and Play on something
play at something— 1. (of children) engage in a specified game: Nana had turned on the water for Michael’s bath. The two older children were playing at being mother and father. 2. perform smth. in a not very serious manner: It’s no good playing at business, you have to take it seriously. 3. fill a […]
Difference between Play at bears and Play the bear
play at bears —(of little children) engage in a game of bears: You can play at bears in the nursery when we get back, if you want. play the bear —(coll.) cause a good deal of trouble or bother to a person: Chaps that have got something on their minds can’t stand idleness, it plays […]
Difference between Play against time and Play for time
play against time—do smth. so as to finish one’s task before the expiry of a certain period: “You’re playing against time and the elements,” he said, recounting the rescue in a phone interview. play for time—delay action or a decision in the hope that conditions will be more favorable later on: This skepticism is influenced […]
Difference between Play a part and Play the part
play a part— 1. be involved in smth. and have an effect on it: Biochemistry may be defined as the study of the chemical processes which play a part in the life phenomena of plants and animals. 2. impersonate smb. such as a stage character: These pages contain top-secret materials about Bondiana—about the actors, who […]
Difference between Play a love game and Play for love
play a love game—said when smb.’s attitude to matters of love is not serious enough: She is afraid that you’re playing a love game instead of being serious. play for love —(also: play for fun) play cards, etc. without stakes: The Parson did not like card games played for money, but he was willing to […]
Difference between Plastic bomb and Plastic bullet
plastic bomb—a bomb containing plastic explosive: In France there were plastic bomb attacks, directed mainly against liberal politicians and journalists. plastic bullet—a projectile made of plastic material, used by security forces in riot control: New devices for riot control, including a plastic bullet, have been issued to the Army.