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]
-
In sports, in a position to be legally or feasibly played, as in The ball is now in play . [Late 1700s]
-
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 yen remained around 158 to the dollar, keeping intervention chatter in play, while the baht and rupiah continued to underperform.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised interest rates Wednesday, warning that risks for higher inflation remain in play for the economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
With many physical, emotional and psychological variables in play, researchers admit it’s hard to pinpoint where DNA ends and drive begins when it comes to sibling dynamics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
The VAR will not be able to review defensive fouls before the ball is in play because it is not possible to give a penalty.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
My powers were in play and in force.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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.
