play up

British  

verb

1. (tr) to emphasize or highlight

   to play up one's best features

2. informal to behave irritatingly (towards)

3. informal (intr) (of a machine, car, etc) to function erratically

   the car is playing up again

4. informal to hurt; give (one) pain or trouble

   my back's playing me up again

5. 1. to support (another actor) in a performance

   2. to try to gain favour with by flattery

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play up Idioms  

1. Emphasize or publicize, as in In the press interview, the coach played up the importance of having a strong defense. [c. 1900] Also see play down; play up to.

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Example Sentences

Whereas Cheap Trick used to play up to 250 shows a year in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the band now averages about 75.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Yes, Jonny didn't play up to scratch but neither did I. I was trying too hard because I wanted to win.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“We didn’t play up to par in the trenches,” Skipper said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

This season there is a record seven international games across five countries and under the NFL's current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league can play up to 10 per year.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

“Don’t like the idea of it myself. I’ll tell him the kids play up there.”

From "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Related Words

• point up