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.
The new production will see Smith play doctor Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who finds the public baths are contaminated.
From BBC • Sep. 5, 2023
With two crucial second act songs still unwritten, the opening night is postponed by two weeks and Michael Bennett, an in-demand play doctor ever since he staged “A Chorus Line,” is brought in for advice.
From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2021
Having witnessed firsthand what can happen when you play doctor on your own life, I now have a seven-day pill organizer to keep me on track.
From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2021
“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
"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.
