play doctor
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of play doctor
First recorded in 1920–25
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.
“But I was miserable. I’m getting paid $17.50 an hour to play doctor all day. It was not worth it.”
From Washington Post • Dec. 5, 2022
“We’d play doctor and patient, or teacher and student,” said Tenbarge, who is a student at Ohio State University, studying journalism.
From Slate • Jul. 25, 2018
A team of undergraduates from Abertay University in Dundee has created Sanitarium, a game that invites people to play doctor.
From BBC • Aug. 26, 2015
Naleigh loves to play doctor and has a little doctor's kit.
From Reuters • Jan. 27, 2012
"You're to play, doctor?" some cried, running to the dog-cart.
From The Little Minister by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)
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.
