play at

Idioms  

1. Do or take part in half-heartedly, as in She was just playing at keeping house, letting the others do all the work. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play at

To come home and play at the Rose Bowl, where he used to watch games as a fan, was emotional for Lindsay.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

De Paula, 21, has been pushing for a promotion with his play at the plate for months.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026

Previous to that excursion, the biggest trip I can remember making was driving 90 miles from Louisville to watch the Cincinnati Reds play at Crosley Field.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

“With a rate hike in play at next week’s Fed meeting, higher mortgage rates and more pressure on home sales are likely in the near-term,” Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said in a statement.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

She doesn't play at once, just lets her hands rest on the keys.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse