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to play upon
[phrase form: play]
01
to take advantage of someone's feelings, fears, or weaknesses
Example
The movie played upon the common fears of isolation and abandonment.
Marketers sometimes play upon the desire for status and recognition in luxury campaigns.
The magician played upon the crowd's curiosity to hold their attention.
They played upon the superstitions of the villagers to keep them away from the forest.
She played upon his guilt to make him agree to her demands.
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