play games

Idioms  

1. Be evasive or deceptive, as in Don't play games with me—I want an honest answer. Also see play the game.

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Example Sentences

When we play games, he observes, we usually care about the “experiences that come from trying hard to win,” but we don’t necessarily care about winning itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Noland Arbaugh, the first human to receive a brain chip implant by Elon Musk's Neuralink, previously told the BBC the device has allowed him to play games again.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Note: Third round pool play games Feb. 18 at higher seeds; Quarterfinals Feb. 21; Semifinals Feb. 24; Finals Feb. 28 at Toyota Arena.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

"If you lead a country like the US or China, it's not easy. You have to play games, make deals."

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

When my mom didn’t have to work, we would log in at the same time and play games or go on interactive storybook adventures together.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• arrange
• come up with
• conceive
• concoct
• create
• direct
• manage
• manipulate
• negotiate
• organize
• set up
• supervise