play up

/pleɪ əp/
/pleɪ əp/
IPA guide

Other forms: played up; playing up; plays up

Definitions of play up
  1. verb
    move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent
    synonyms: foreground, highlight, spotlight
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    play down
    understate the importance or quality of
    type of:
    bring out, set off
    direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
  2. verb
    ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior
    “She is playing up to the chairman”
    synonyms: cotton up, cozy up, shine up, sidle up, suck up
    see moresee less
    type of:
    ingratiate
    gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘play up'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family