play along
Britishverb
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to cooperate (with), esp as a temporary measure
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(tr) to manipulate as if in a game, esp for one's own advantage
he played the widow along until she gave him her money
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 Alaska Supreme Court decided to play along last week, ruling that officials can’t bar “Decoy Dan” from the ballot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
“I think that some of the hemisphere is willing to play along with it because the hemisphere has issues, including security issues, where the U.S. can be of assistance,” Bosworth said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 21, 2026
It’s this exposé of societal absurdity and Meursault’s atheistic refusal to play along with pacifying notions of sin and redemption, that makes“The Stranger” a pinnacle of confrontational literature.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2026
Analysts play along because it helps them maintain strong relationships with companies’ management.
From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026
I knew there was a point to this story, so I figured I'd better play along to get to it.
From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds
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.
