to play up
30
4.3
- phrasal verb
- /pleɪ ʌp/
- The Alexandria paper played up the strike angle with its art, headline, and deck.
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Watch on YouTubeBecause now Hollywood knows that they can, you know, the mob can bitch about prosthetics now and, and how they can, you know, play up certain stereotypes.
- Because now Hollywood knows that they can, you know, the mob can bitch about prosthetics now and, and how they can, you know, play up certain stereotypes.
- And that story I tried to play up and really give a context for in the in the revolution in the book that really blew my mind.
- So they do play up their, you know, their humiliation at Western powers hands because they want to try to drum up patriotism.
- What a gaffe by Best Buy trying to play up, by the way, brands that are jumping in.
Examples
-
The cooperative hunting nature of the pack is played up a lot in this film.
Blog text (20) -
Thus, U.S. officials decided to play up the alleged imminent threat.
Academic text (2003) -
It's sad that the media really never played up her type as a role model.
Blog text (3) -
So I have to play up the Christian angle to keep them both on board.
-
"Great, but we'll have to play up the killer part more when we talk to the press.
Fiction book (2002) -
If your product is a new solution to the category, play up its cutting-edge elements.
Blog text (1) -
Meanwhile, Defense Department officials too often played up the al Qaeda link, which did not resonate anywhere outside the United States.
Academic text (2003) -
The local press, delighted by any Stanford scandal, played up the Goebel case hugely.
Academic text (2003) -
Erica recalled now how the media had played up her and Jared's battle in and out of court.
Fiction book (2002) -
Candidates who lack experience are trying to play up any relevant skills they possess.
Synonyms
321
3.7
To show that something is very important
301
3.3
To emphasize something so it stands out as important
165
3.1
To say something is larger, better, or worse than it really is
52
4.2
Say something is bigger or more important than it really is
35
4.6
To make something seem more important or serious than it really is
29
6.0
Make a part of something more noticeable
24
2.9
Make something look better than it really is
22
4.1
To say that something is better or more important than it really is
21
4.6
Make something seem more important or serious than it really is
17
4.0
To make a person or thing noticed by people
13
4.9
Make something seem better than it really is
12
4.2
To make something seem more exciting or important than it really is
8
4.7
Make something stand out as important
8
9.5
To make something seem more important by adding details or exaggerating
7
3.7
To make something seem more important or bigger than it is
7
4.2
To make something seem more important or bigger than it really is
6
5.5
Treat something as more important than it should be
2
6.6
Describe something as more serious or emotional than it really is
2
6.4
Treat a small problem as if it were very serious
2
5.8
To make something more noticeable or important
2
5.8
Praise something more than it really deserves
2
5.9
To make something seem more important or serious than it is
1
5.4
To make something seem much worse or bigger than it is
1
5.8
Treat something as more important or serious than it is
1
6.4
To praise someone too much to make them seem better
1
5.6
To make something seem bigger or more important than it really is
1
5.1
Make something seem much bigger or more important than it is
1
7.9
To make something seem much bigger or more important than it really is
1
7.6
To make something more dramatic and like a stage show
1
6.6
Describe something as more important or impressive than it really is
1
3.4
To make something seem larger or more important than it is
1
7.1
To make a story sound more exciting or important than it really is
Antonyms
How Emphasized
Surface Forms
Morphology
There is a partial compositional link: 'play' (to act) combined with 'up' (to increase/intensify) can suggest acting in a heightened way, which could plausibly be interpreted as acting to gain someone's approval. However, the specific pragmatic sense 'to ingratiate oneself / try to gain favor' is a figurative, social-pragmatic extension that is not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so learners generally need exposure to this use.
Etymology
The verb play up may come from actors who would play up a point on stage, making it louder or bigger so the audience noticed it. That's why it means 'to emphasize or exaggerate'.