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

Both teams love to defend and to play on the counter-attack, and neither of them will be opening up.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

It means England will play on Thursday if anyone but India finishes second in Group One, but be switched to Tuesday if India take second spot.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

Though he figured he could have earned his bachelor’s degree at age 17, Leibowitz decided to slow down, explore Chicago and play on the university’s chess team.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

He said they’re focused particularly on assisted living, which is a play on population and aging.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

Luma also felt that if a soccer team of well-to-do suburban kids was assigned to play on a field of sand and broken glass, their parents would call the team’s sponsors or the league—someone—to protest.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

Related Words

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