English dictionary



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English verb: play up

1. play up (change) move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent


SamplesThe introduction highlighted the speaker's distinguished career in linguistics.


Synonymsforeground, highlight, spotlight


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)bring out, set off


Antonymsbackground, play down, downplay

2. play up (emotion) ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior


SamplesShe is playing up to the chairman.


Synonymscotton up, cozy up, shine up, sidle up, suck up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)ingratiate









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