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

Asked if he would play on Monday, Donald said, “That’s the plan.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The Piddington referendum was a play on the British comedy film "Passport to Pimlico".

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

The “SaaSpocalypse,” a play on the acronym for software as a service, became the watchword for the meltdown.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

It was also Roberts’ only big play on a night where he averaged less than two yards per carry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

“It’s against the law to play on the dunes. It hurts the plants and animals.”

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Related Words

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