play doctor
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of play doctor
First recorded in 1920–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The new production will see Smith play doctor Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who finds the public baths are contaminated.
From BBC • Sep. 5, 2023
"They felt invested with the most important mission of their life, being able to play doctor, policeman and judge at the same time."
From Reuters • Apr. 18, 2022
But Lilli’s backbone, bolstered through the nimble tweaking of play doctor Green, serves to keep the cringe factor at bay.
From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2019
“We’d play doctor and patient, or teacher and student,” said Tenbarge, who is a student at Ohio State University, studying journalism.
From Slate • Jul. 25, 2018
"You're to play, doctor?" some cried, running to the dog-cart.
From The Little Minister by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
