Emphasize or publicize, as in In the press interview, the coach played up the importance of having a strong defense. [c. 1900] Also see
play down; play up to.
play up
| Idioms: play up |
| Antonyms: play up |
v
Definition: emphasize
Antonyms: deemphasize, play down, underrate, undervalue
| WordNet: play up |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The verb has 2 meanings:
Meaning #1:
move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent
Synonyms: foreground, highlight, spotlight
Antonym: play down (meaning #1)
Meaning #2:
ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior
Synonyms: cozy up, cotton up, shine up, sidle up, suck up
Learn More
 | play down |
| foul (Idiom) |
| heads-up |
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Copyrights:
 |
 | Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Antonyms. © 1999-2009 by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved. Read more |
 |
| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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