play hard to get

Definição e Significado de "[play] hard to get"

to play hard to get

to act as though one is not interested in another person's romantic or sexual advances in order to increase their interest or desire

What is the origin of the idiom "play hard to get" and when to use it?

The idiom "play hard to get" originates from the world of dating and relationships. It is based on the observation that people are often more attracted to those who seem less available or not as interested. It is used to refer to someone who adopts a deliberate approach of appearing uninterested or less accessible to someone who is expressing romantic or sexual interest. This strategy aims to create an element of challenge or pursuit, with the belief that it can increase the other person's desire or interest.

to not easily give a person something that they need or want from one

What is the origin of the idiom "playing hard to get" and when to use it?

The idiom "playing hard to get" originates from the world of dating and relationships. Its precise origin is challenging to pinpoint, but it has been in use since at least the early 20th century. This expression can be used in everyday scenarios when someone is reluctant to provide or share something. It implies a level of resistance or hesitation in meeting another person's requests or desires, making them work or demonstrate the value of what they seek.

Exemplo

Alice enjoyed the attention she received from Michael, so she decided to play hard to get to keep him interested and maintain a sense of mystery.

Alex liked the challenge of pursuing someone who played hard to get, as it made the chase more exciting.

Only a few days ago, the Social Democrats were playing hard to get as the CDU tried to get them into coalition talks.

Sarah decided to play hard to get when John asked her out on a date.

When Mark asked John for a favor, John played hard to get, wanting to see how important the favor was to Mark before agreeing to help.

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Definição e Significado de "[play] hard to get"

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