play along
Britishverb
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to cooperate (with), esp as a temporary measure
-
(tr) to manipulate as if in a game, esp for one's own advantage
he played the widow along until she gave him her money
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.
Let’s play along with the former for the sake of the cast, who are deeply committed, to their own peril.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The Alaska Supreme Court decided to play along last week, ruling that officials can’t bar “Decoy Dan” from the ballot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Ayinde, a Nigerian businesswoman with British citizenship, said she been encouraged by the west African country's security services to "play along" with those in government who were asking her for bribes.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
So far, it has paid for investors to play along.
From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026
“Oh, for heaven's sake, Ruthanne. I know she’s just putting on, but I can play along, can’t I?”
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
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.
