in play
Idioms-
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]
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In sports, in a position to be legally or feasibly played, as in The ball is now in play . [Late 1700s]
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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]
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.
Two strategies are in play, but they’ve got different — but close — age requirements that lead to common errors I see.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
In Qatar in 2022, the ball was in play for an average of 58 minutes three seconds, or 56.86% of the total match time.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Mark Peter Simmonds, director of science at OceanCare, likened it to "human formal meals where socialising as well as nutrition are in play".
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
“When you live in a country where political powers are constantly in play, when you own a restaurant, you’re the person who’s hosting somebody who’s having a dangerous conversation,” explains Katerina.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
In the end, the four students made an agreement to ask permission before touching each other, even in play.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
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.
