play up

verb

played up; playing up; plays up

Examples of play up in a Sentence

that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 2024 campaign was full of injuries as well, but Buehler turned his play up in the World Series. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 In his brief appearances for the Colts this season while Richardson has been injured, Flacco has played up to that standard, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 716 yards, throwing seven touchdowns and one interception and leading Indianapolis to two wins in three appearances with two starts. Ben Morse, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024 The 10-piece fall line plays up plenty of daytime looks but there are also versatile styles that can be dressed up for evening outings. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024 In 2017, Payne played up the story of his Combs encounter for laughs in an interview with British talk show host Graham Norton. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for play up 

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of play up was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near play up

Cite this Entry

“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

play up

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on play up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!