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Synonyms

make a play for

Idioms  

  1. Try to attract someone's interest, especially romantic interest. For example, Bill has been making a play for Anne, but so far it hasn't gotten him anywhere. [Slang; c. 1900]

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.

“I figured okay, let’s make a play for Heritage Hunt,” Roem explained.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2024

Perhaps, but surely starring in a $50 million critically acclaimed studio film is valuable too and is the entire reason that those working in obscurity make a play for an Oscar.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2023

Much of the content of the letters is about wider issues of diplomacy than simply Mary’s attempts to reclaim the throne of Scotland or make a play for the throne of England, Doran says.

From Scientific American • Feb. 8, 2023

The Panthers could still make a play for Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield or San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo, two quarterbacks who are expected to be moved at some point this offseason.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2022

And those are the very fans Debra’ll have to win over to make a play for the Mansion.

From Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Doctorow, Cory

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.