in play

Idioms  

1. In action or operation. For example, A number of conflicting forces were in play, so the outcome was uncertain . It is also put as bring into play , meaning “to put into action,” as in The surprise witness brought new evidence into play . [Mid-1600s]

2. In sports, in a position to be legally or feasibly played, as in The ball is now in play . [Late 1700s]

3. In business, in a position for a possible corporate takeover, as in After a news item said the company was in play, the price of its stock began to rise . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

If he avoids serious injury and a major dropoff in play, Kempe will almost certainly rank among the top five in franchise history in games, goals and points when his contract runs out.

From Los Angeles Times

By virtue of the Indianapolis Colts losing to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, the Chargers secured a playoff berth, and the division title and top seed in the AFC are still in play.

From Los Angeles Times

So by moving Texans-Chargers to Saturday, both those teams are in play for the two Saturday spots in Week 18.

From Los Angeles Times

Warsh is “clearly in play” at this point as a Fed pick, according to Stephen Myrow, managing partner of Beacon Policy Advisors, a research firm.

From MarketWatch

Yet margins have edged back up the last two years, the balance sheet is clean, and double-digit platform revenue growth is in play, Wedbush said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alive
• effective
• operating