play false

Idioms  

1. Deceive or betray one, as in If my memory does not play false, I met them years ago in Italy. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

She must not play false even with him.

From An Enemy to the King by Stephens, Robert Neilson

And so Captain Jones of the Mayflower was bribed by Dutch gold to play false with the band of Pilgrims.

From The Landing of the Pilgrims by Zyve, Claire Turner

Now, in return, I make one request of you, that is that you all do as you have agreed to; don’t play false one with the other.

From Nurse and Spy in the Union Army The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields by Edmonds, S. Emma E.

Now I tell you what will occur if you play false with me.”

From Beyond the Frontier A Romance of Early Days in the Middle West by Parrish, Randall

So far as degrading effect is concerned, the "pure, sweet" story or play, false to nature, false to true morality, propagandist of indecent emotions disguised as idealism, need yield nothing to the so-called "strong" story.

From Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise by Phillips, David Graham

Related Words

• abandon
• deceive
• forsake
• mislead
• seduce