play

Word family  noun play interplay replay player playfulness adjective playful playable verb play outplay replay adverb playfully

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Other games, Theatre, Music

play1 /pleɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb  1  children 儿童 [intransitive, transitive]DGO when children play, they do things that they enjoy, often with other people or with toys 玩，玩耍 Kids were playing and chasing each other. 孩子们在互相追逐嬉闹。play catch/house/tag/school etc Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians. 孩子们在外面玩牛仔和印第安人的游戏。play with Did you like to play with dolls when you were little? 你小时候喜不喜欢玩洋娃娃？ Parents need to spend time just playing with their children. 父母应该花时间和自己的孩子一起玩耍。2  sports/games 运动/比赛 a) [intransitive, transitive]PLAY A GAME OR SPORT to take part or compete in a game or sport 参赛，参加〔比赛或运动〕 Karen began playing basketball when she was six. 卡伦六岁时开始打篮球。 If you feel any pain, you shouldn’t play. 如果你觉得疼，就不该参赛。 Men were sitting in the park, playing cards. 男人们坐在公园里打牌。play against Bristol will play against Coventry next week. 下周布里斯托尔队将迎战考文垂队。 She’s playing Helen Evans in the semi-final (=playing against her). 半决赛中她将迎战海伦·埃文斯。play for Moxon played for England in ten test matches. 莫克森代表英格兰队参加过十场国际板球对抗赛决赛阶段比赛。 b) [transitive] to use a particular piece, card, person etc in a game or sport 〔比赛中〕走〔子〕；出〔牌〕；派〔某人〕出场 Harrison played a ten of spades. 哈里森出了一张黑桃十。 The Regents played Eddie at center (=used him as a player in that position) in the game against Arizona. 在和亚利桑那州立大学队的比赛中，理真大学队派埃迪上场担任中锋。 c) [intransitive, transitive] to take a particular position on a team 〔在某运动队中〕担当，充任 Garvey played first base for the Dodgers. 加维在道奇队中打一垒。 d) [transitive] to hit a ball in a particular way or to a particular place in a game or sport 〔在比赛或运动中〕击〔球〕，打〔球〕 She played the ball low, just over the net. 她把球打得很低，刚刚过网。3  music 音乐 [intransitive, transitive]PERFORMto perform a piece of music on a musical instrument 演奏，弹奏 He’s learning to play the piano. 他在学习弹钢琴。 She played a Bach prelude. 她演奏了一首巴赫的前奏曲。 Haden has played with many jazz greats. 黑登和许多著名的爵士乐手合作过。 A small orchestra was playing. 一支小型管弦乐队在演奏。4  radio/cd etc 广播/激光唱片等 [intransitive, transitive] if a radio, CD etc plays, or if you play it, it produces sound, especially music 播放 The bedside radio played softly. 床边的收音机播放着轻柔的乐曲。play a record/CD/tape etc DJs playing the latest house and techno tracks 播放着最新豪斯音乐和泰克诺音乐的音乐节目主持人们5  theatre/film 剧院/电影 a) [transitive]APT to perform the actions and say the words of a particular character in a theatre performance, film etc 扮演〔角色〕 Streep plays a shy, nervous woman. 斯特里普扮演一个腼腆、神经质的女人。play a role/part/character etc Playing a character so different from herself was a challenge. 扮演一个和她本人如此不同的角色是个挑战。 b) [intransitive]APTPERFORM if a play or film is playing at a particular theatre, it is being performed or shown there 〔戏剧〕上演；〔电影〕上映 ‘Macbeth’ is playing at the Theatre Royal in York. 《麦克白》正在约克的皇家剧院上演。 c) [transitive]APTPERFORM if actors play a theatre, they perform there in a play 〔演员〕在〔剧院〕演出6  play a part/role EFFECT/INFLUENCEto have an effect or influence on something 〔在某事中〕起作用；〔在某事中〕有影响play a part/role in A good diet and fitness play a large part in helping people live longer. 合理的饮食和良好的健康状况在对人们寿命的延长起着重要作用。7  play ball a) to throw, kick, hit, or catch a ball as a game or activity 玩球类游戏 Jim and Karl were playing ball in the backyard. 吉姆和卡尔在后院玩球。 b) to do what someone wants you to do 听命 So far, the company has refused to play ball, preferring to remain independent. 这家公司至今不愿当傀儡，更希望保持独立。8  pretend 假装 [linking verb]BEHAVE to behave as if you are a particular kind of person or have a particular feeling or quality, even though it is not true 假装，装扮 the accusation that scientists are playing God 对科学家扮演上帝的指责 Some snakes fool predators by playing dead. 有些蛇会以装死来蒙骗猎食者。 ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t play dumb (=pretend you do not know something).' “你什么意思？”“别装糊涂了。” Don’t play the innocent (=pretend you do not know about something) with me – we both know what happened. 别跟我装无辜，你我都知道出了什么事。play the idiot/the teacher etc Susan felt she had to play the good wife. 苏珊觉得自己必须扮成好妻子。 He played the fool (=behaved in a silly way) at school instead of working. 他在学校瞎混而不用功学习。9  behave 表现 [transitive always + adverb/preposition]BEHAVE to behave in a particular way in a situation, in order to achieve the result or effect that you want 〔以某种方式〕表现，行事 How do you want to play this meeting? 你想怎么开这次会议？ Play it safe (=avoid risks) and make sure the eggs are thoroughly cooked. 保险一点，一定要把这些蛋煮透。play it carefully/cool etc If you like him, play it cool, or you might scare him off. 你要是喜欢他，就别露声色，否则可能会把他吓跑。10  play games HIDE/NOT SHOWto hide your real feelings or wishes in order to achieve something in a clever or secret way – used to show disapproval 耍花招，耍手段〔含贬义〕 Stop playing games, Luke, and tell me what you want. 别耍花招了，卢克，告诉我你想要什么。11  play something by ear a) to decide what to do according to the way a situation develops, without making plans before that time 见机行事，随机应变 We’ll see what the weather’s like and play it by ear. 我们将根据天气情况随机应变。 b) if someone can play a musical instrument by ear, they can play a tune without looking at written music 不看乐谱演奏12. play a joke/trick/prank on somebody JOKEto do something to someone as a joke or trick 跟某人开玩笑，捉弄某人13  play the game a) to do things in the way you are expected to do them or in a way that is usual in a particular situation 遵守规则，按规矩行事 If you want a promotion, you’ve got to play the game. 如果你想得到晋升，就要规规矩矩的。 b) FAIR British English to behave in a fair and honest way 办事公道，光明正大14  play the race/nationalist/environmentalist etc card to use a particular subject in politics in order to gain an advantage 打种族/民族主义/环保主义等的牌〔指使用某个政治话题来赢得优势〕 a leader who is skilfully playing the nationalist card to keep power 老练地打出民族主义牌以保持权力的一名领导人15  play your cards right SUCCEED IN DOING somethingto say or do things in a situation in such a way that you gain as much as possible from it 做事精明，处理得当 Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you. 谁知道呢？如果你精明些，说不定他会娶你呢。16. play your cards close to your chest to keep secret what you are doing in a situation 对自己的行为秘而不宣17  play into somebody’s hands to do what someone you are competing with wants you to do, without realizing it 〔因做对手所希望的事〕正中对手下怀 If we respond with violence, we’ll be playing into their hands, giving them an excuse for a fight. 如果我们以暴力回应，就正中他们下怀，给了他们挑起争斗的借口。18  play for time DELAYto try to delay something so that you have more time to prepare for it or prevent it from happening 为争取时间而拖延 The rebels may be playing for time while they try to get more weapons. 叛乱分子可能在拖延时间，想搞到更多的武器。19  play tricks (on you) if your mind, memory, sight etc plays tricks on you, you feel confused and not sure about what is happening 〔头脑、记忆、视力等〕使（某人）产生错觉 It happened a long time ago, and my memory might be playing tricks on me. 那是很久以前的事了，我记不清了。20. play the market BFSRISKto risk money on the stock market as a way of trying to earn more money 〔在证券市场〕买卖证券21  play the system ADVANTAGEto use the rules of a system in a clever way, to gain advantage for yourself 钻制度的空子〔使自己得益〕 Accountants know how to play the tax system. 会计师知道如何钻税收制度的空子。22. play second fiddle (to somebody)  (also play second banana informal)IMPORTANT to be in a lower position or rank than someone else （给某人）当第二把手[副手]，居次要地位23. play hard to get PRETENDATTRACTto pretend that you are not sexually interested in someone so that they will become more interested in you 〔对异性〕欲擒故纵〔故意装出对某人不感兴趣的样子以吸引对方〕24. smile 笑容 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] writtenSMILE if a smile plays about someone’s lips, they smile slightly 〔微笑〕浮现25. play hooky American English, play truant British EnglishSE to stay away from school without permission 逃学，旷课26  play with fire DANGEROUSto do something that could have a very dangerous or harmful result 做危险的事，玩火 Dating the boss’s daughter is playing with fire. 和老板的女儿约会是在玩火。27  play to your strengths to do what you are able to do well, rather than trying to do other things 发挥自己的长处，拿出自己的优势 It is up to us to play to our strengths and try to control the game. 要靠我们发挥自己的优势，尽力控制比赛。28  light 光线 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] writtenSHINE if light plays on something, it shines on it and moves on it 〔在…上〕闪烁，掠过 the sunlight playing on the water 在水面闪烁的阳光29. water 水 [intransitive] written if a fountain plays, water comes from it 〔喷泉〕喷水30. play a hose/light on something MOVE something OR somebodyto point a hose or light towards something so that water or light goes onto it 把软管/光线对准某处31. play the field SEX/HAVE SEX WITHto have sexual relationships with a lot of different people 乱搞男女关系，滥交32  play fast and loose with something to not be careful about what you do, especially by not obeying the law or a rule 不负责任地利用某物〔尤指不遵守法律或规定〕 They played fast and loose with investors’ money. 他们滥用了投资者的资金。33. play happy families British English to spend time with your family, doing normal things, especially so that your family appears to be happy when it is not 维持幸福家庭的假象 PHRASAL VERBS34 play around (also play about British English) phrasal verb a) SEX/HAVE SEX WITHto have a sexual relationship with someone who is not your usual partner 与〔某人〕鬼混 with Wasn’t she playing around with another man? 她当时不是在和另一个男人鬼混吗？ It was years before I realized he’d been playing around. 多年以后我才察觉到他一直在拈花惹草。b) to try doing something in different ways, to see what would be best, especially when this is fun 摆弄，把玩〔尤指好玩〕 with Play around with the ingredients if you like. 如果你喜欢，可以随意搭配各种原料。c) to behave in a silly way or waste time, when you should be doing something more serious 胡闹 SYN fool around When the teacher wasn’t looking, we used to play about a lot. 老师不看着我们时，我们经常会瞎胡闹。35 play around with something (also play about with something British English) phrasal verb to keep moving or making changes to something in your hands 〔在手中〕摆弄，把玩 SYN fiddle with Will you stop playing around with the remote control! 你能不能别再摆弄遥控器了！36 play along phrasal verb a) PRETENDto pretend to agree to do what someone wants, in order to avoid annoying them or to get an advantage 假装顺从，暂且附和 She felt she had to play along or risk losing her job. 她觉得自己必须假装顺从，否则就有失业的危险。b) play somebody along British EnglishLIE/TELL A LIE to tell someone something that is not true because you need their help in some way 〔因为需要某人的帮助而〕对某人撒谎，欺骗某人37 play at something phrasal verb a) What is somebody playing at?DO British English spoken used when you do not understand what someone is doing or why they are doing it, and you are surprised or annoyed 某人在搞什么鬼？ What do you think you’re playing at? 你到底在搞什么名堂？b) DO BADLYif you play at doing something, you do not do it properly or seriously 不认真地干，对…敷衍了事play at doing something He’s still playing at being an artist. 他对于当艺术家仍然三心二意。c) PRETEND British English if children play at doctors, soldiers etc, they pretend to be doctors, soldiers etc 〔小孩〕假扮…玩play at being something a 14-year-old playing at being a grown woman 假扮成年女性的14岁少女38 play something ↔ back phrasal verb TCRto play something that has been recorded on a machine so that you can listen to it or watch it 回放〔已录制的录音带、录像带等〕 He played back his answering machine messages. 他回放了电话答录机中的留言。39 play something ↔ down phrasal verb UNIMPORTANTto try to make something seem less important or less likely than it really is 使…看起来不那么重要，贬低，对…轻描淡写 Management has been playing down the possibility of job losses. 管理层一直淡化职位减少的可能性。play down the importance/seriousness/significance of something The White House spokeswoman sought to play down the significance of the event. 白宫女发言人试图淡化该事件的重要性。40 play off phrasal verb a) British English if people or teams play off, they play the last game in a sports competition, in order to decide who is the winner 决胜负 The top two teams will play off at Twickenham for the county title. 成绩最好的两支球队将在维克汉姆体育场为争夺郡冠军一决雌雄。b) play off somebody/something American English to deliberately use a fact, action, idea etc in order to make what you are doing better or to get an advantage 故意压制某人/某物 The two musicians played off each other in a piece of inspired improvisation. 两位乐师在表演一首精彩的即兴曲时争强斗胜。41 play somebody off against somebody phrasal verb ARGUEto encourage one person or group to compete or argue with another, in order to get some advantage for yourself 〔为渔利而〕挑拨离间，使…相斗[对立，争吵] The house seller may try to play one buyer off against another, to raise the price. 房子的卖家可能会在两位买主之间挑拨，目的是为了抬高房价。42 play on/upon something phrasal verb USE somethingto use a feeling, fact, or idea in order to get what you want, often in an unfair way 利用〔某一感情、事实或观点〕 The ad plays on our emotions, showing a doctor holding a newborn baby. 广告中一名医生抱着一个新生婴儿，那是在利用我们的情感。43 play something ↔ out phrasal verb a) if an event or situation is played out or plays itself out, it happens 发生；出现 It will be interesting to see how the election plays itself out. 观看选举如何进行会很有意思。b) PERFORMif people play out their dreams, feelings etc, they express them by pretending that a particular situation is really happening 想入非非 The weekend gives you a chance to play out your fantasies. 周末让你有机会去想入非非。44 play up phrasal verb a) play something ↔ upEMPHASIZE to emphasize something, sometimes making it seem more important than it really is 强调某事的重要性；夸大某事；大肆渲染某事 Play up your strongest arguments in the opening paragraph. 第一段中就要突出最强有力的论据。b) play (somebody) upBEHAVE British English informal if children play up, they behave badly 〔孩子〕捣蛋；使（某人）恼火，给（某人）制造麻烦 Jordan’s been playing up in school. 乔丹在学校里老是惹麻烦。 I hope the kids don’t play you up. 我希望孩子们不会给你添麻烦。c) play (somebody) upHURT/CAUSE PAIN British English informal to hurt you or cause problems for you 使〔某人〕感到痛苦；给〔某人〕造成麻烦 My knee’s been playing me up this week. 这星期我的膝盖一直不舒服。 The car’s playing up again. 车子又出问题了。45 play up to somebody phrasal verb to behave in a very polite or kind way to someone because you want something from them 投〔某人〕所好，逢迎，讨好，巴结 Connie always plays up to her parents when she wants money. 康妮缺钱的时候总会去讨好父母。46 play with somebody/something phrasal verb a) HOLDto keep touching something or moving it 摆弄，玩弄 Stop playing with the light switch! 别再乱动电灯开关了！b) to try doing something in different ways to decide what works best 试验〔以找出解决问题的最佳方式〕 Play with the design onscreen, moving text and pictures until you get a pleasing arrangement. 试着在屏幕上进行设计，移动文字和图片，直到排列令人满意为止。c) THINK ABOUTto consider an idea or possibility, but not always very seriously 〔不大认真地〕考虑〔某事〕 SYN toy with After university, I played with the idea of teaching English in China. 大学毕业以后，我想过去中国教英语。d) MORE/EXTRA money/time/space etc to play with money, time etc that is available to be used 可用的金钱/时间/空间等 The budget is very tight, so there isn’t much money to play with. 经费很紧，没有很多钱可用。e) play with yourselfSYSEX/HAVE SEX WITH to touch your own sex organs for pleasure 手淫 SYN masturbatef) play with words/languageSAY to use words in a clever or amusing way 玩文字游戏；用字遣词机智[幽默]→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

play• Kendra's in her room playing.• Ask Alex if he wants to play.• In the Pittsburgh-Bills game, I have to like the way Buffalo is playing.• Age-sensitive political issues such as Social Security and Medicare will play a major role in the campaign, of course.• Your child can play all three goats and you the troll if there are just the two of you.• Karl loves basketball and plays almost every weekend.• Blake's composing and playing are, perhaps ironically, bristling with life.• Relaxing music is played at the beginning of the float and again at the end to indicate your time is up.• I have a recording of Kreisler playing Bach's E major concerto.• Do you know how to play backgammon?• The neck feels solid and moderately chubby, although not immediately reminiscent of anything I've played before.• Charles likes to play Celtic music on his flute.• I've only played chess a few times.• Did you ever play doctors and nurses when you were small?• It's been a long time since I played hockey.• Come on - let's go inside and play house!• I'm playing in a tennis match this Sunday.• Do you play in an orchestra?• Every Sunday we play Monopoly or some other board game.• I used to play tennis all the time.• I played the ace of clubs and won the game.• Matt plays the drums.• She tried to teach him how to play the piano, but he had no great talent for it.• I didn't know you could play the violin.• "They played well against us, " Cooper said, "I have to give them credit."• Jimmy was playing with a little boat in the bathtub.• Ian was upstairs playing with his new train set.play catch/house/tag/school etc• Got too possessive, kept wanting to play house.• Some legislators set up housekeeping when the biennial gatherings began and played house for the six-month sessions.• Elegantly restored ballroom that plays house, garage and disco to a smartly dressed, trendy crowd-no jeans or trainers.• I read to him, played catch in the alley and taught him how to ride his new bike.• Universal Pictures wanted Chase to play house philanderer Otter, and the role was offered to him.• This was not playing catch; this was important.• The voice was not what I'd have expected from a girl who'd been playing house with a mug like Mahoney.• From my second-floor vantage point I could see my classmates as they tumbled out into the quad playing catch with my shoes.play for• Iverson plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.play a record/CD/tape etc• I was intensely interested in journalism, and all the things around it, whether it was performing or actually playing records.• I was talking to her at a women's group meeting - we were playing records.• They also perform surgery, detect radiation and play records.• We help each other with homework ... then play records and that.• The operator plays a recording from one recent evening.• This gave us an overall playing record of four wins out of six matches played, with one defeat and one match abandoned.• No baby, just a tape recorder playing a tape of my little sister crying when she was a baby.• Some people think you just play records, when in fact you're putting together a whole programme.play a role/part/character etc• The goals are to make sure everyone understands, everyone plays a part, and everyone shares in the credit.• Throughout the play characters are giving advice to one another as to how they should behave.• The New Man rejects traditional roles of parenthood and likes to play a part in decision-making.• Interestingly the commercial value of the site did not play a part in the calculation.• Do methods of communication play a part in the creation of this desirable environment?• The fourth dimension also played a part in uniting a number of abstract painters and sculptors in the inter-war period.• Third, the student plays a role of dissent.• So, although new designs and reorganizations play a role, they are never enough to shape a complete vision of how.playing dead• The snake fools predators by playing dead.• Indeed, it must be fully aware of what is happening to it when it is playing dead.• Liz thought of an insect playing dead.• I just laid there playing dead, and he was pawing the ground, trying to get me to get up.play it carefully/cool etc• Have to find out for himself, no other way, poke around, listen, ask, play it carefully.• She was trying to play it cool.• The band had wanted a major deal for at least two years previously, but were determined to play it cool.• Rather than rushing into print in Nature, however, Cantor played it cool and cautious.• Tod's playing it cool, of course, as always.• Plus, playing it cool ... the dark secrets of an orchid grower And, who said Robins could sing?

Related topics: Theatre

play2 ●●● S1 W2 noun  1  theatre 剧院 [countable]APT a story that is written to be performed by actors, especially in a theatre 剧本；戏剧 a play by Chekhov 一出契诃夫的戏剧 This is a major theme of Miller’s plays. 这是米勒剧作中的首要主题。play about Edward Bond’s play about class war 爱德华·邦德关于阶级斗争的戏剧2  amusement 娱乐 [uncountable]PLAY A GAME OR SPORT things that people, especially children, do for amusement rather than as work 〔尤指儿童的〕游戏，玩耍；娱乐 Play is very important to a child’s development. 游戏对孩子的成长十分重要。 a play area 游戏区through play The program aims to teach road safety through play. 这个节目旨在通过游戏进行道路交通安全的教育。at play the happy shouts of children at play 孩子玩耍时快乐的叫嚷声3  effect 效果 [uncountable] the effect or influence of something 影响；作用 the free play of competition in the building industry 建筑业竞争的自由调节作用at play There are a number of factors at play (=having an effect) in the current recession. 目前的不景气是由多重因素引发的。bring/put something into play (=use something or make it have an effect) 使用某事物；使某事物发挥作用 A complex system of muscles is brought into play for each body movement. 身体的每一个动作都需要复杂的肌肉系统运动。 Political considerations do come into play (=have an effect) when making policy. 制定政策时，政治因素确有影响。4  action in a game or sport 比赛或体育活动中的动作PLAY A GAME OR SPORT a) [uncountable] the actions of the people who are playing a game or sport 比赛 Rain stopped play after only an hour. 比赛才进行了一小时就因雨告停。 b) [countable] one particular action or set of actions during a game 〔比赛中的〕一个[套]动作 On the next play, Johnson ran 15 yards for a touchdown. 接下来的一次进攻，约翰逊跑了15码持球触地得分。5  in play/out of play DSif a ball is in play or out of play, it is inside or outside the area in which the rules of the game allow you to hit, kick, catch etc the ball 〔球〕在界内/界外 He kicked the ball out of play. 他把球踢出界外。6. play on words SAYa use of a word that is interesting or amusing because it can be understood as having two very different meanings 使用双关语 SYN pun7  play of light LIGHTpatterns made by light as it moves over a surface 光的闪烁 the play of light on the water 波光粼粼8  make a play for something TRY TO DO OR GET somethingto make an attempt to gain something 设法得到某物 He made a play for the leadership last year. 他去年曾角逐领导权。9  make a play for somebody to try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with someone 想和某人恋爱[发生性关系] It’s obvious he was making a play for her. 显然他在追求她。10  looseness 松动 [uncountable]MOVE/CHANGE POSITION if there is some play in something, it is loose and can be moved 松动 There’s too much play in the rope. 那根绳子太松了。 → fair play, foul play COLLOCATIONSverbswrite a play 写剧本So far, he has written three plays. 迄今他已写了三个剧本。go to (see) a play 看戏While we were in New York, we went to a play. 我们在纽约时去看了一出戏。see a play 看戏I’ve never seen the play. 我从未看过这出戏。watch a play 〔认真〕看戏Some of the audience were talking instead of watching the play. 一些观众在讲话,而不在观剧。perform a play 演戏The play was performed by Brighton Youth Theatre. 该剧由布赖顿青年剧团出演。act/perform/appear in a play 出演某剧nShe acted in many plays on the London stage.be in a play (=be performing in a play) 出演某剧nMichael is currently in a play on Broadway.ndo a play spoken (=arrange it or perform in it)Bob asked if I would do this play, and I agreed.put on a play (=arrange for it to be performed) 上演某剧nThe school puts on a Nativity play every Christmas.direct a play (=tell the actors what to do) 执导某剧nThe play is directed by Paulette Randall.produce/stage a play (=arrange its performance) 制作/上演某剧rehearse a play (=practise it) 排演nWe spent weeks rehearsing the play.na play opens (=its performances start)The play opens in San Francisco on Wednesday for a three-week run.na play runs (=it continues to be performed)The play ran for five months.na play closes (=its performances stop)The play closes on Sunday, so don’t miss it!ADJECTIVES/NOUN + playa stage play (=a play in a theatre) 舞台剧I occasionally write reviews of local stage plays. 我偶尔会写文章评论本地的舞台剧。a TV/radio play (=a play written to be performed on TV/radio) 电视剧/广播剧nThis horror story would make a good radio play.a school play 校园剧nI got a small part in the school play.na Nativity play British English (=a play about the birth of Jesus, performed by children at Christmas)She was chosen to play Mary in the nativity play.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘give a play’. Say put on a play. 不要说 ‘give a play’. 而要说 put on a play.

Examples from the Corpus

play• He chose to do this by re-writing the scene in the form of a script for a play.• After Troilus and Cressida almost any play is a relief, even the brothel scenes of Pericles.• His doubts only increased when he performed another job, midway to finally making up his mind about the Bolt play.• Make enough plays like that and nobody in the clubhouse will care if you ever say a word.• "Pygmalion" was one of Shaw's most famous plays.• This brings into play an area of training known as free sparring.• There needs to be a little more play in the fan belt for it to work right.• On the next play, Ervin caught a forty-yard pass to score a touchdown.• Parents need to understand the importance of play in a child's development.• There's a huge difference in the level of play from college to the NFL.• Episodes are based on dialogues, role play and cloze exercises, with the emphasis on building awareness of language appropriateness.• These characters can be used to start play very quickly, saving time for eager players!• The play is about two men on trial for murder.at play• By observing children at play , teachers can understand more about how they see the world.• There are some important medical considerations at play in this tropical locale.bring/put something into play• However, an unreasonable deviation brings s.12 into play.• They suggested that the impact be harder, which would automatically contract the probe mechanism bringing the latches into play.• I try to imagine the arguments another lawyer might bring into play.• But what really puts the company into play is the fact that its stock has basically tanked.• In so doing, this overrides the channel selector, bringing both channels into play at once.• Typically, some one has a bright idea and decides to put it into play.• Now a report from the Pensions Management Institute has suggested ways of changing the law to bring pension rights into play.• It may have the means, but be unwilling or unable to bring them into play at a particular time.• This time he was putting his heart into playing an angel in a Nativity play at the local church.From Longman Business Dictionaryplayplay1 /pleɪ/ verb [transitive]1play the market(s)FINANCE if you play the market, you buy and sell shares on the stockmarket, especially to make a quick profit rather than as an investment for the futureUnless you can afford to lose money occasionally, it’s foolish to play the market in later life.2play the system to use the rules of a system in a clever way in order to gain an advantageThese accountants know how to play the tax system.3have money to play with to have extra money which you can use for a particular purposeIf you do get a severance check (=money you get from your employer when you lose your job) and land a job immediately, you’ll have some extra money to play with.→ See Verb tableplayplay2 noun [countable]1informalFINANCE an occasion when someone risks money on a financial marketIn stock options, the biggest play of the day was in BP.2in play journalismFINANCE if a company is in play, it may be bought in a TAKEOVERThe company has strongly denied it’s in play.Origin play1 Old English plegan play2 Old English plega

play1 verb →10-19 →20-33
→PHRASAL VERBS1play2 noun →COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChinese  

things children Corpus play, they that do they when Business

play

I

play¹ S1 W1 /pleɪ/ verb
1.  CHILDREN  [intransitive and transitive] when children play, they do things that they enjoy, often with other people or with toys:
    Kids were playing and chasing each other.
    play catch/house/tag/school etc
    Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians.
    play with
    Did you like to play with dolls when you were little?
    Parents need to spend time just playing with their children.
2.  SPORTS/GAMES
  a. [intransitive and transitive] to take part or compete in a game or sport:
    Karen began playing basketball when she was six.
    If you feel any pain, you shouldn’t play.
    Men were sitting in the park, playing cards.
    play against
    Bristol will play against Coventry next week.
    She’s playing Helen Evans in the semi-final (=playing against her).
    play for
    Moxon played for England in ten test matches.
  b. [transitive] to use a particular piece, card, person etc in a game or sport:
    Harrison played a ten of spades.
    The Regents played Eddie at center (=used him as a player in that position) in the game against Arizona.
  c. [intransitive and transitive] to take a particular position on a team:
    Garvey played first base for the Dodgers.
  d. [transitive] to hit a ball in a particular way or to a particular place in a game or sport:
    She played the ball low, just over the net.
3.
   MUSIC .nbsp;[intransitive and transitive]
  to perform a piece of music on a musical instrument:
    He’s learning to play the piano.
    She played a Bach prelude.
    Haden has played with many jazz greats.
    A small orchestra was playing.
4.  RADIO/CD ETC  [intransitive and transitive] if a radio, CD etc plays, or if you play it, it produces sound, especially music:
    The bedside radio played softly.
    play a record/CD/tape etc
    DJs playing the latest house and techno tracks
5.  THEATRE/FILM
  a. [transitive] to perform the actions and say the words of a particular character in a theatre performance, film etc:
    Streep plays a shy, nervous woman.
    play a role/part/character etc
    Playing a character so different from herself was a challenge.
  b. [intransitive] if a play or film is playing at a particular theatre, it is being performed or shown there:
    ‘Macbeth’ is playing at the Theatre Royal in York.
  c. [transitive] if actors play a theatre, they perform there in a play
6. play a part/role to have an effect or influence on something
    play a part/role in
    A good diet and fitness play a large part in helping people live longer.
7. play ball
  a. to throw, kick, hit, or catch a ball as a game or activity:
    Jim and Karl were playing ball in the backyard.
  b. to do what someone wants you to do:
    So far, the company has refused to play ball, preferring to remain independent.
8.  PRETEND  [linking verb] to behave as if you are a particular kind of person or have a particular feeling or quality, even though it is not true:
    the accusation that scientists are playing God
    Some snakes fool predators by playing dead.
    ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t play dumb (=pretend you do not know something).'
    Don’t play the innocent (=pretend you do not know about something) with me – we both know what happened.
    play the idiot/the teacher etc
    Susan felt she had to play the good wife.
    He played the fool (=behaved in a silly way) at school instead of working.
9.  BEHAVE  [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to behave in a particular way in a situation, in order to achieve the result or effect that you want:
    How do you want to play this meeting?
    Play it safe (=avoid risks) and make sure the eggs are thoroughly cooked.
    play it carefully/cool etc
    If you like him, play it cool, or you might scare him off.
10. play games to hide your real feelings or wishes in order to achieve something in a clever or secret way – used to show disapproval:
    Stop playing games, Luke, and tell me what you want.
11. play something by ear
  a. to decide what to do according to the way a situation develops, without making plans before that time:
    We’ll see what the weather’s like and play it by ear.
  b. if someone can play a musical instrument by ear, they can play a tune without looking at written music
12. play a joke/trick/prank on somebody to do something to someone as a joke or trick
13. play the game
  a. to do things in the way you are expected to do them or in a way that is usual in a particular situation:
    If you want a promotion, you’ve got to play the game.
  b. British English to behave in a fair and honest way
14. play the race/nationalist/environmentalist etc card to use a particular subject in politics in order to gain an advantage:
    a leader who is skilfully playing the nationalist card to keep power
15. play your cards right to say or do things in a situation in such a way that you gain as much as possible from it:
    Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you.
16. play your cards close to your chest to keep secret what you are doing in a situation
17. play into sb’s hands to do what someone you are competing with wants you to do, without realizing it:
    If we respond with violence, we’ll be playing into their hands, giving them an excuse for a fight.
18. play for time to try to delay something so that you have more time to prepare for it or prevent it from happening:
    The rebels may be playing for time while they try to get more weapons.
19. play tricks (on you) if your mind, memory, sight etc plays tricks on you, you feel confused and not sure about what is happening:
    It happened a long time ago, and my memory might be playing tricks on me.
20. play the market to risk money on the stock market as a way of trying to earn more money
21. play the system to use the rules of a system in a clever way, to gain advantage for yourself:
    Accountants know how to play the tax system.
22. play second fiddle (to somebody) to be in a lower position or rank than someone else
23. play hard to get to pretend that you are not sexually interested in someone so that they will become more interested in you
24.  SMILE  [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] written if a smile plays about someone’s lips, they smile slightly
25. play hooky American English, play truant British English to stay away from school without permission
26. play with fire to do something that could have a very dangerous or harmful result:
    Dating the boss’s daughter is playing with fire.
27. play to your strengths to do what you are able to do well, rather than trying to do other things:
    It is up to us to play to our strengths and try to control the game.
28.  LIGHT  [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] written if light plays on something, it shines on it and moves on it:
    the sunlight playing on the water
29.  WATER  [intransitive] written if a fountain plays, water comes from it
30. play a hose/light on something to point a hose or light towards something so that water or light goes onto it
31. play the field to have sexual relationships with a lot of different people
32. play fast and loose with something to not be careful about what you do, especially by not obeying the law or a rule:
    They played fast and loose with investors’ money.
33. play happy families British English to spend time with your family, doing normal things, especially so that your family appears to be happy when it is not
play around (also play about British English) phrasal verb
  1. to have a sexual relationship with someone who is not your usual partner
    play around with
    Wasn’t she playing around with another man?
    It was years before I realized he’d been playing around.
  2. to try doing something in different ways, to see what would be best, especially when this is fun
    play around with
    Play around with the ingredients if you like.
  3. to behave in a silly way or waste time, when you should be doing something more serious
   SYN  fool around:
    When the teacher wasn’t looking, we used to play about a lot.
play around with something (also play about with something British English) phrasal verb
  to keep moving or making changes to something in your hands
   SYN  fiddle with:
    Will you stop playing around with the remote control__
     
play along phrasal verb
  1. to pretend to agree to do what someone wants, in order to avoid annoying them or to get an advantage:
    She felt she had to play along or risk losing her job.
  2. play somebody along British English to tell someone something that is not true because you need their help in some way
play at something phrasal verb
  1. What is somebody playing at? British English spoken used when you do not understand what someone is doing or why they are doing it, and you are surprised or annoyed:
    What do you think you’re playing at?
  2. if you play at doing something, you do not do it properly or seriously
    play at doing something
    He’s still playing at being an artist.
  3. British English if children play at doctors, soldiers etc, they pretend to be doctors, soldiers etc
    play at being something
    a 14-year-old playing at being a grown woman
play something ↔ back phrasal verb
  to play something that has been recorded on a machine so that you can listen to it or watch it:
    He played back his answering machine messages.
play something ↔ down phrasal verb
  to try to make something seem less important or less likely than it really is:
    Management has been playing down the possibility of job losses.
    play down the importance/seriousness/significance of something
    The White House spokeswoman sought to play down the significance of the event.
play off phrasal verb
  1. British English if people or teams play off, they play the last game in a sports competition, in order to decide who is the winner:
    The top two teams will play off at Twickenham for the county title.
  2. play off somebody/something American English to deliberately use a fact, action, idea etc in order to make what you are doing better or to get an advantage:
    The two musicians played off each other in a piece of inspired improvisation.
play somebody off against somebody phrasal verb
  to encourage one person or group to compete or argue with another, in order to get some advantage for yourself:
    The house seller may try to play one buyer off against another, to raise the price.
play on/upon something phrasal verb
  to use a feeling, fact, or idea in order to get what you want, often in an unfair way:
    The ad plays on our emotions, showing a doctor holding a newborn baby.
play something ↔ out phrasal verb
  1. if an event or situation is played out or plays itself out, it happens:
    It will be interesting to see how the election plays itself out.
  2. if people play out their dreams, feelings etc, they express them by pretending that a particular situation is really happening:
    The weekend gives you a chance to play out your fantasies.
play up phrasal verb
  1. play something ↔ up to emphasize something, sometimes making it seem more important than it really is:
    Play up your strongest arguments in the opening paragraph.
  2. play (somebody) up British English informal if children play up, they behave badly:
    Jordan’s been playing up in school.
    I hope the kids don’t play you up.
  3. play (somebody) up British English informal to hurt you or cause problems for you:
    My knee’s been playing me up this week.
    The car’s playing up again.
play up to somebody phrasal verb
  to behave in a very polite or kind way to someone because you want something from them:
    Connie always plays up to her parents when she wants money.
play with somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. to keep touching something or moving it:
    Stop playing with the light switch__
  2. to try doing something in different ways to decide what works best:
    Play with the design onscreen, moving text and pictures until you get a pleasing arrangement.
  3. to consider an idea or possibility, but not always very seriously
   SYN  toy with:
    After university, I played with the idea of teaching English in China.
  4. money/time/space etc to play with money, time etc that is available to be used:
    The budget is very tight, so there isn’t much money to play with.
  5. play with yourself to touch your own sex organs for pleasure
   SYN  masturbate
  6. play with words/language to use words in a clever or amusing way

II

play² S1 W2 noun1.  THEATRE  [countable] a story that is written to be performed by actors, especially in a theatre:
    a play by Chekhov
    This is a major theme of Miller’s plays.
    play about
    Edward Bond’s play about class war
2.  AMUSEMENT  [uncountable] things that people, especially children, do for amusement rather than as work:
    Play is very important to a child’s development.
    a play area
    through play
    The program aims to teach road safety through play.
    at play
    the happy shouts of children at play
3.  EFFECT  [uncountable] the effect or influence of something:
    the free play of competition in the building industry
    at play
    There are a number of factors at play (=having an effect) in the current recession.
    bring/put something into play (=use something or make it have an effect)
    A complex system of muscles is brought into play for each body movement.
    Political considerations do come into play (=have an effect) when making policy.
4.  ACTION IN A GAME OR SPORT
  a. [uncountable] the actions of the people who are playing a game or sport:
    Rain stopped play after only an hour.
  b. [countable] one particular action or set of actions during a game:
    On the next play, Johnson ran 15 yards for a touchdown.
5. in play/out of play if a ball is in play or out of play, it is inside or outside the area in which the rules of the game allow you to hit, kick, catch etc the ball:
    He kicked the ball out of play.
6. play on words a use of a word that is interesting or amusing because it can be understood as having two very different meanings
   SYN  pun
7. play of light patterns made by light as it moves over a surface:
    the play of light on the water
8. make a play for something to make an attempt to gain something:
    He made a play for the leadership last year.
9. make a play for somebody to try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with someone:
    It’s obvious he was making a play for her.
10.  LOOSENESS  [uncountable] if there is some play in something, it is loose and can be moved:
    There’s too much play in the rope.
⇨ fair play, foul play
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ write a play So far, he has written three plays.
   ▪ go to (see) a play While we were in New York, we went to a play.
   ▪ see a play I’ve never seen the play.
   ▪ watch a play Some of the audience were talking instead of watching the play.
   ▪ perform a play The play was performed by Brighton Youth Theatre.
   ▪ act/perform/appear in a play She acted in many plays on the London stage.
   ▪ be in a play (=be performing in a play) Michael is currently in a play on Broadway.
   ▪ do a play spoken (=arrange it or perform in it) Bob asked if I would do this play, and I agreed.
   ▪ put on a play (=arrange for it to be performed) The school puts on a Nativity play every Christmas.
   ▪ direct a play (=tell the actors what to do) The play is directed by Paulette Randall.
   ▪ produce/stage a play (=arrange its performance)
   ▪ rehearse a play (=practise it) We spent weeks rehearsing the play.
   ▪ a play opens (=its performances start) The play opens in San Francisco on Wednesday for a three-week run.
   ▪ a play runs (=it continues to be performed) The play ran for five months.
   ▪ a play closes (=its performances stop) The play closes on Sunday, so don’t miss it!
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + play
   ▪ a stage play (=a play in a theatre) I occasionally write reviews of local stage plays.
   ▪ a TV/radio play (=a play written to be performed on TV/radio) This horror story would make a good radio play.
   ▪ a school play I got a small part in the school play.
   ▪ a Nativity play British English (=a play about the birth of Jesus, performed by children at Christmas) She was chosen to play Mary in the nativity play.
■ COMMON ERRORS
    ► Do not say 'give a play'. Say put on a play.