play into the hands of

Idioms  

1. Act so as to give an advantage to an opponent, as in The senator played right into the hands of her opponents when she backed that unpopular amendment to the tax bill. [c. 1700]

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Example Sentences

Antonelli, who is in his maiden season and has a best result so far of third place, said he hoped the expected cooler conditions would play into the hands of Mercedes.

From BBC

And all this may play into the hands of China, Washington’s main rival for influence in Southeast Asia.

From Salon

MP Viktor Sobolev said a temporary ceasefire would only play into the hands of the Ukrainians as it would allow them to "regroup in 30 days, replenish their ranks and be replenished with drones".

From BBC

Live Nation’s CEO, Michael Rapino, emails Oak View Group’s CEO and says it would be “stupid” to “play into the hands” of the artist’s agent by letting the companies bid against each other to promote the tour.

From Slate

Do you think the large absence of seeing the murder of Jewish people, and hearing it only through sound, might play into the hands of Holocaust deniers?

From Salon