to underplay
1
6.4
- verb
- /ˌʌndərˈpleɪ/
- Specialized
:
actuar con sutileza
- He sees the girl and waves briefly, wagging a hand without taking it off the wheel—an underplayed reaction that makes you like him.
- underplay a role
Examples
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Director Wendy Knox's cast underplays the play and thus prevents over-the-top emotionality.
Blog text (16) -
Critics praised her ability to underplay the emotional turmoil, making the performance feel authentic and relatable.
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The second underplays aesthetics in favor of ethics.
Blog text (22) -
Even their physical monstrosity is underplayed by Ibsen, except in the episode in which the Woman in Green and her sister play and dance.
Academic text (1995) -
Indie cinema has recently produced superbly underplayed yet moving small films like Kelly Reichardt's Old Joy.
Academic text (2009) -
Green and the rest of the cast do a fine job too, though Lee's stoicism in the Fu Manchu role sometimes comes across as underplayed.
Blog text (5) -
Templeman and the endearingly game Toks Olagundoye continue to wring some unexpected laughs as the alien duo, mainly through underplaying and pure humor.
Blog text (6) -
In his latest film, the actor chose to underplay his character, allowing the emotions to resonate more deeply with the audience.
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The director advised the cast to underplay their roles to create a more subtle and impactful narrative.
Synonyms
1
6.7
To give too little attention to something
To show too little feeling when playing a role
Antonyms
How Dramatic
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Underplay comes from the parts under- meaning 'below' and play meaning 'to perform'. In acting, to underplay is to perform in a quiet, simple way rather than exaggerating, so the scene feels more natural.