play the game

Idioms  

1. Behave according to accepted customs, obey the rules. For example, Not every foreign company can be counted on to play the game. The game here alludes to a sport with a set of rules. [Late 1800s] Also see play games.

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Example Sentences

“To be honest, I could play the game still,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

The fact Covina agreed to play the game past midnight on short notice was a tribute to the relationship Murphy has with Covina coach Tim O’Leary, who was once the pitching coach at South Hills.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

"Wait for 24 hours, let us play the game which is more important."

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

He posited that if AI comes to shape too much of game-day strategizing, “We can just play the game without the players and coaches,” almost as if the “Madden NFL” videogame replaced the actual NFL.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

He’d suggest I try to play the game after all.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• acclimate
• accommodate
• accustom
• alter
• comply
• conform
• fit
• modify
• prepare
• readjust
• revise
• shape
• suit
• tailor