by-play

or by·play

[ bahy-pley ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an action or speech carried on to the side while the main action proceeds, especially on the stage.

by-play

secondary action or talking carried on apart while the main action proceeds, esp in a play

Origin of by-play¹

First recorded in 1805–15

It will be the shocking play-by-play from inside the death chambers.

Watch commentator Chris Webber make brilliant use of the telestrator, with a play-by-play of ice cream defense.

But for these two puerile sports fans, the evening was almost as much about the play-by-play as how things turned out.

Even worse, the two doulas next to me were in the midst of a loud-whispered play-by-play of what was going on on the screen.

The ingenuity of writers was ransacked to furnish material for this spirited by-play.

Her acting is said to have been characterised by great judgment, while her by-play was remarkably effective.

The excellence of Adrienne's delivery was equalled, if not surpassed, by her really wonderful by-play.

This little by-play took place when all the lamps of the salon were fully lighted.

Smilingly, and evidently untroubled by the recent by-play between the cowboy and Mary, she replied in the negative.

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