play on

British  

verb

1. (adverb) to continue to play

2. Also: play upon.  (preposition) to exploit or impose upon (the feelings or weakness of another) to one's own advantage

3. (adverb) cricket to hit the ball into one's own wicket

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play on Idioms  

1. Also, play upon. Take advantage of or make use of for a desired effect, as in These health care ads are meant to play on our fears. This idiom uses play in the sense of “performing on an instrument.” Shakespeare used it in Hamlet (3:2): “You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops.” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play on

The Galaxy hope to capitalize on his speed, ability to play on both wings and experience in high-pressure situations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

I’d rather play on that side than bet on who wins and who loses on the software side.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

It’s among the most misguided things I’ve seen in a movie all year, not to mention the most aesthetically repellent, like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” left to play on a motion-smoothing TV.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

But I find myself wondering why another moral issue, much closer to home and shocking almost beyond comprehension, isn’t getting much play on the campaign trail.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

We’re not ready to press play on Chucky.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Related Words

• adopt
• apply
• employ
• handle
• manage
• operate
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• spend
• utilize
• wield
• work