misplay

American  

[mis-play, mis-play, mis-play] / 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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

misplay

Seattle scored three runs in the first inning off Angels starter Patrick Sandoval, capitalizing on Mike Moustakas’ misplay of Julio Rodriguez’s hard ground ball to third base.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2023

It wasn’t the only misplay of a night that started off promising for the Angels.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2023

Jackson acknowledged that the misplay might have been the result of “just rust.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2022

Josh Lowe, whose misplay made Mancini’s homer possible, had a significant bruise on his cheek after the game.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 28, 2022

Miss Erskine fidgeted in her seat, gave half smothered exclamations, looked at him appealingly at every misplay.

From In Her Own Right by Clarence F. Underwood

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