PLAY ON Definition & Meaning

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.

A number of high-profile injuries have occurred in women's football in recent years - but could the type of pitches they play on be a contributing factor?

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While the 36-year-old admitted it was not something she thought about while playing, Rafferty said the idea that the pitches male players currently play on may not be optimal for women was an "interesting concept".

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As well as huge interest in the device itself, fans have been keen to find out what games they will be able to play on it.

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Taft football coach Troy Starr is standing by the goal posts for a junior varsity game and pointing out a freshman receiver named Steve Smith, who’s too young to play on varsity.

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I am not sure either side will be too bothered about having the ball, but Forest fans are happy for them to sit deep and play on the counter, even when they are at home, and they are really good at it.

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

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