Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

play up

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.54 in modern English

Syllables: play up
IPA

13

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, up.

verb

British usage

verb

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

Transitive verb

verb

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

Intransitive verb

verb

To be unfaithful to a lover; to cheat; used with on.

Slang; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Our school team is playing up at the old recreation ground."
"Children who do not receive enough attention may begin to play up."
"The radar system is playing up again."
"For the audition, Nicole will play up her skill as a pianist by playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach."
"I can't hear the ukuleles at the back. Play up please!"
"And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote — 'Play up! play up! and play the game!'"

Usage

Inflected Forms

plays up (present, singular) playing up (participle, present) played up (participle, past) played up (past)

Synonyms

act up overemphasize overstate stretch big up cut it fat exaggerate hyperbolize overcharge overdo play up three-sheet

Antonyms

play down

Questions

What does play up mean?: Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, up.

How to pronounce play up

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “play up”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “play up”.
Repeat and practice — Say “play up” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.