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

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.

That they might be considered a guard of honor rather than spies sent out to see that he did not play false never occurred to him.

From The Thunder Bird by Bower, B. M.

He did not therefore play false to Cond� in not accepting the command of such troops as remained to the Fronde—a command which, on his retirement, was offered to the Prince de Tarent.

From Political Women, Vol. 2 by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883

It would seem that most of them have secret, underhand agreements to play false to their best friends, whenever it suits their purpose.

From The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 18, March 11, 1897 A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Various

It was not human nature—not even woman’s—to play false in such sans façon.

From The Wild Huntress Love in the Wilderness by Reid, Mayne

Related Words

• abandon
• deceive
• forsake
• mislead
• seduce