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.
The research program was framed around finding solutions to climate change while keeping fossil fuels in play, focusing heavily on carbon capture.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026
Tsunami or glacier, Japan’s unique household savings pool will be in play if the decades of deflation are really over.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
Aspects of the formula have been in play for years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
Attacking foul before the ball is in play: The Ifab has given Fifa permission to allow a VAR review if it directly leads to a goal, penalty or disciplinary sanction.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 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.
