play out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to finish

   let's play the game out if we aren't too late

2. informal (tr; often passive) to use up or exhaust

3. (tr) to release gradually

   he played the rope out

4. (intr) to happen or turn out

   Let's wait and see how things play out

---

play out Idioms  

1. Finish, run out, as in This extreme fashion will soon play out , or The tension between factions will surely play itself out by next year . [Late 1500s]

2. Unwind, unreel, as in They slowly played out the cable . Also see played out .

---

Example Sentences

Historically, Netflix has proven its ability to limit churn from price increases, and the most recent hikes are expected to play out in the same fashion.

From Barron's

Now look at it from the adult child’s perspective — a dynamic I’ve witnessed play out more times than I can count.

From MarketWatch

The tension has played out in a series of demand letters sent by Moriarty to the Justice and Homeland Security departments.

From Salon

The battle is playing out in real-time on Wall Street.

From Barron's

In one of the weirdest elections in California history, here’s how it might all play out.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• become
• come to be
• end up
• eventually be
• finish as
• turn out to be