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to play it cool
01
to act calmly in order to hide one's anger, enthusiasm, fear, etc. from others
What is the origin of the idiom "play it cool" and when to use it?
The idiom "play it cool" has its origin in jazz music culture during the mid-20th century. It refers to the act of maintaining a calm, composed, and nonchalant demeanor, especially in situations that may elicit excitement, nervousness, or anticipation. Over time, this phrase has become more widely used to describe any situation where someone deliberately acts detached or indifferent to project a sense of confidence or to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Example
When asked about the upcoming competition, she played it cool, casually mentioning that she was looking forward to the challenge.
She had a crush on him, but she played it cool and acted nonchalant whenever they were together.
The negotiator played it cool during the intense discussion, maintaining a poker face to hide their true intentions.
Even though he was excited about the job offer, he played it cool during the interview, not revealing his enthusiasm too soon.
Despite winning the lottery, he decided to play it cool and kept the news to himself.
