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to play up
[phrase form: play]
01
to make something seem more important or noticeable by highlighting it
Transitive: to play up sth
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
up
Base verb
play
Present tense
play up
3rd person singular
plays up
Present participle
playing up
Past simple
played up
Past participle
played up
Examples
She decided to play up her strengths during the interview.
02
to act in an insincere way, to gain favor or approval from someone else
Intransitive
Examples
Knowing the importance of the client, he played up during the entire meeting.
03
(of machines or equipment) to not work properly
Intransitive
Examples
I need to replace this blender; it 's been playing up recently.
04
to cause discomfort or trouble
Dialect
British
BritishIntransitive
Examples
His old injury tends to play up when the weather gets cold.
05
to perform with enhanced energy or determination
DialectBritish
BritishIntransitive
Examples
As the competition neared its end, he played up, trying to catch up to the leading competitors.
