play-off

American  

[pley-awf, -of] / ˈpleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

1. (in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.

2. a series of games or matches, as between the leading teams of two leagues, in order to decide a championship.

   In America the most exciting play-off is the World Series.

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play off British  

verb

1. to deal with or manipulate as if in playing a game

   to play one person off against another

2. (intr) to take part in a play-off

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noun

1. sport an extra contest to decide the winner when two or more competitors are tied

2. a contest or series of games to determine a championship, as between the winners of two competitions

play off Idioms  

1. See under play both ends against the middle .

2. Break a tie by playing an additional game or period, as in Each team had won three games so they had to play off the tie to decide the championship .

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Etymology

Origin of play-off

First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase play off

Example Sentences

Finishing inside the top eight of the Champions League league phase meant avoiding the two play-off matches but, in what is already a packed schedule, that seems to have made little difference.

From BBC

He will miss his country's World Cup play-off semi-final against North Macedonia on 26 March.

From BBC

Five points separate four teams in places three to six, with eight rounds of games left to finalise a play-off spot.

From BBC

Wales face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, 26 March, with the winners hosting Italy or Northern Ireland in the final five days later.

From BBC

The winners of this play-off path will secure their place at the World Cup, where they will be in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

From BBC

Related Words

• circumvent
• counter
• curb
• defeat
• foil
• frustrate
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• oppose
• prevent
• stop
• stymie