View synonyms for

play on

verb

adverb to continue to play
Alsoplay upon preposition to exploit or impose upon (the feelings or weakness of another) to one's own advantage
adverb cricket to hit the ball into one's own wicket

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Idioms and Phrases

Also, play upon . Take advantage of or make use of for a desired effect, as in These health care ads are meant to play on our fears . This idiom uses play in the sense of “performing on an instrument.” Shakespeare used it in Hamlet (3:2): “You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops.” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Ford kicked a penalty in a more controlled second half as Sale secured the win that lifts them above Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers, who both play on Saturday.

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Ms Hurley said she found out through working at the school that children were allowed to play on the sports teams that matched the gender they identified with.

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The incident sparked jeers from the Perpignan fans when replayed on their stadium's big screen and referee Kevin Bralley instructed Le Garrec to play on once he was back on his feet.

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He explained that his reluctance to play on tour since January, when he deliberately broke his cue at an event in Leicester, was the result of that frustration.

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The 28-year-old, who can also play on the wing, made his New Zealand debut in 2016 and has scored 37 tries in 81 caps for the All Blacks.

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

play-off play one's cards close to one's chest

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