play the game

Idioms  

1. Behave according to accepted customs, obey the rules. For example, Not every foreign company can be counted on to play the game. The game here alludes to a sport with a set of rules. [Late 1800s] Also see play games.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play the game

“Honestly, being able to play the game is amazing.’

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

“You have to play the game that’s on the field,” Peters said, adding that he is still overweight traditional value sectors including energy, healthcare and other real assets such as commodities and materials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

That experiment allowed producers to learn quickly how future cast members might play the game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

While Manchester City wanted to play the game against Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

He’d suggest I try to play the game after all.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• acclimate
• accommodate
• accustom
• alter
• comply
• conform
• fit
• modify
• prepare
• readjust
• revise
• shape
• suit
• tailor