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play up

(transitive) To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

ˈpleɪ ˈʌpCurrent190 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 citations · last seen May 2026

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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(transitive) To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

Children who do not receive enough attention may begin to play up.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(British, idiomatic) To misbehave.

Our school team is playing up at the old recreation ground.
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

(intransitive) To play (e.g. sport or music) more vigorously.

The radar system is playing up again.
Heard in the wild
  • “Because the free trial includes the entirety of the base A Realm Reborn, *plus* the award winning expansions Heavensward, Stormblood *and* Shadowbringers, which you can play up to level 80, with no restrictions on playtime! (sorry, I had to!)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Two things can be true: Carolina is the best team in the East, AND the Flyers should have won last night. Giving up that Konecny chance in OT is inexcusable. As was Konecny missing it. Make the Canes actually play up to their talent level to win. Don’t think the Flyers did that.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Planter seems to be plenty trustworthy and likeable to mainers! The superficial part is that mamdani has to go out of his way and play up what a great guy he is (because racism/islamophobia), while platner just doesn't.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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