misplay

American  

[mis-pley, mis-pley, mis-pley] / mɪsˈpleɪ, ˈmɪsˌpleɪ, mɪsˈpleɪ /

noun

1. a wrong or bad play.

2. a play prohibited by the rules.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make an error or incorrect play on or with; play wrongly.

   The catcher misplayed the ball, allowing the base runner to score.

2. to make a play on or with (a card, chess piece, etc.) prohibited by the rules.

misplay British  

/ ˌmɪsˈpleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to play badly or wrongly in games or sports

   the batsman misplayed the ball

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noun

1. a wrong or unskilful play

Etymology

Origin of misplay

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; mis- ¹ + play

Example Sentences

“As soon as I saw the center fielder misplay it a little bit, I just thought about scoring that tying run,” Pages said in Spanish.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2024

As ominous as Outman’s misplay was, it happened early.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2023

Yes, I watched a guy misplay a Julio Rodriguez fly ball and almost get hit in the face and another guy fall down on the warning track and almost de-pants himself in the process.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Over the years, his misplay gave Buckner “a measure of celebrity beyond baseball, a kind of cultural resonance few athletes ever achieve,” observes Kepner.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2022

The batters batted out long flies, low liners, and sharp grounders; the fielders fielded these difficult chances without misplay.

From The Redheaded Outfield by Grey, Zane