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

And with additional funding lapses in play throughout the first quarter, the bounce back in government spending may not be as strong.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Either to break up the momentum of the opposition by causing a stoppage in play, or for the coach to give instructions to his players.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Racing to keep pace with the rebound, JPMorgan has revised upward its S&P 500 SPX forecast to 7,600 by year-end — with 8,000 possibly in play — as well as lifting earnings estimates.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Those tensions are already in play between the U.S. and its biggest adversary, China, which has been no slouch when it comes to space exploration.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

I’ve never seen this power-up in play during a regular Warcross match, and only a handful of times in an official tournament game.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• alive
• effective
• operating