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Glite Dictionary
to play hob

to play hob

9.9
To cause problems and confusion in a plan or system
  • phrasal verb
  • Archaic
translation icon : interferir
  • Dust and humidity can play hob with delicate electronics.

Examples

  • The sudden power outage will play hob with our production schedule.

  • The storm will play hob with our travel plans.

  • Too many last-minute changes may play hob with the team's preparations.

  • Don't play hob with my phone!

  • Dust and humidity can play hob with delicate electronics.

  • The sudden power outage will play hob with our production schedule.

  • The storm will play hob with our travel plans.

Synonyms

to mess
vsto play hob
  • Informal
∞ 4.2

To handle something in a way that causes damage or problems

usually implies causing trouble or confusion rather than careless handling
to interfere
vsto play hob
487 3.5

To get involved in a situation and make things not work as they should

is more about causing trouble or confusion, not just involvement
to disrupt
vsto play hob
269 4.4

To interrupt normal activity and cause disorder

focuses on causing trouble and confusion rather than mere interruption
to fuck with
vsto play hob
  • Offensive
225 9.9

To mess with someone's things or plans on purpose to cause trouble

is similar but less rude or aggressive in tone
to disturb
vsto play hob
97 2.1

Move something and make it untidy or broken

focuses on trouble or confusion, not necessarily physical movement
to mix up
vsto play hob
  • Informal
65 2.7

To make people confused and things messy

stresses trouble or disruption beyond simple confusion
to stir trouble
vsto play hob
  • Informal
5 5.3

To cause fights or problems between people on purpose

is broader and can be accidental rather than deliberate
to overset someone's plans
vsto play hob
7.7

To ruin someone's plans by making them fail or change suddenly

is more general, applying to many situations not only plans

Antonyms

to support
∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

to facilitate
  • Formal
187 4.9

To make a task or process easier and help it happen

How Disruptive

wreck
112 4.2
to sabotage
164 7.1
to play hob
  • Archaic
9.9
to interfere
487 3.5
to bother
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

play hob infinitive
played hob past
played hob past participle
playing hob present participle
plays hob third person singular

Morphology

play + hob

There is a detectable link between the parts: if a learner knows 'hob' as a mischievous household spirit, they can infer that to 'play hob with' something means to cause mischief or disruption. However, 'hob' is archaic/rare and the verb 'play' here has a somewhat metaphorical causative sense, so the relation is indirect and not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Play hob may come from old stories about a small household spirit called a hob that liked to 'play tricks' and mess things up. That's why when wind, dust, or sudden changes play hob with your plans or devices, they 'cause trouble' or 'disrupt' them.