play doctor

noun

Theater.

1. a person, usually a professional playwright, employed to improve a script, especially shortly before the play's opening.

Word History and Origins

Origin of play doctor¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

To put it another way: It’s fun to lie on your couch and play doctor—until you’re truly sick.

From Slate

David’s son, now 18, wonders what really happened when Dominique asked him to “play doctor” as a child.

From BBC

The new production will see Smith play doctor Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who finds the public baths are contaminated.

From BBC

“But I think it’s very dangerous to have doctors violating their Hippocratic oath and killing people…I want the doctor to play doctor, and not executioner.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We don’t allow attorneys general to legislate, and we don’t allow them to play doctor,” Rothert said.

From Washington Times