P
Idioms beginning with "P"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
Categories:
Contents of P:
[play]
See:
[ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY],
[DOUBLE PLAY],
[FAIR PLAY],
[FORCE PLAY],
[GAME AT WHICH TWO CAN PLAY],
[MAKE A PLAY FOR],
[TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY].
[play along (with)] {v.}
Cooperate; make no trouble.
The honest jockey refused to play along with the bookmaker's illegal plan.
[play a part in] {v. phr.}
To be instrumental in; have a role in; be concerned with.
Some First Ladies play a greater part in political life than others.
[play a waiting game] {v. phr.}
To withhold action until one's chances for success improve.
Ray would like to be vice president of the company so he is playing a waiting game in the hope that the president will soon recognize his abilities.
[play ball] {v. phr.}
1. To begin play in a ball game.
When the umpire calls "Play ball," the game begins.
2. {informal}
To join in an effort with others; cooperate.
* /To get along during Prohibition, many men felt that they had to play ball […]
[play by ear] {v. phr.}
1. To play a musical instrument by remembering the tune, not by reading music.
Mary does not know how to read music. She plays the piano by ear.
* /Joe doesn't need any music sheets when he plays his guitar; he knows many […]
[play cat and mouse with] {v. phr.}
To tease or fool (someone) by pretending to let him go free and then catching him again.
Joe's uncle had fun playing cat and mouse with him.
* /The policeman decided to play cat and mouse when he saw the woman […]
[play down] {v.}
To give less emphasis to; make (something) seem less important; divert attention from; draw notice away from.
The newspaper stories played down the actor's unattractive past.
* /A salesman's job is to emphasize the good points of […]