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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
To portray (something) (as unimportant); to dismiss or make light of (a factor in a situation, or one's embarrassment about it); to pretend not to be embarrassed, upset, impressed, or otherwise affected by (it).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: often, transitive
Examples
- After tripping, Sara tried to play her embarrassment off by laughing with everyone else.
- Although he's obviously hungover, he's trying to play it off as food poisoning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To set (other people) against one another: to induce competition between them, especially in a covert way so that they do not realize the degree to which they have been played (manipulated).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- Stalin's propensity to play off his subordinates against one another is a well-studied theme.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To compete in a play-off; to compete against (an opponent) in a play-off.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, transitive
Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To display; to show; to put in exercise.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, transitive
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
set into opposition or rivalry
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- let them match their best athletes against ours
- pit a chess player against the Russian champion
- He plays his two children off against each other
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pit, oppose, match
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: confront, face
No etymology was provided for this word.
