play the game

Idioms  

1. Behave according to accepted customs, obey the rules. For example, Not every foreign company can be counted on to play the game. The game here alludes to a sport with a set of rules. [Late 1800s] Also see play games.

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Example Sentences

Whatever I feel on that day, some of the best players to ever play the game have been there and felt those same things.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

“You have to play the game that is there for you to play.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

So the foundation might be the same, but she has got to kind of play the game for a while and she’s got to find out information from them first.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

"Wait for 24 hours, let us play the game which is more important."

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

He’d suggest I try to play the game after all.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• acclimate
• accommodate
• accustom
• alter
• comply
• conform
• fit
• modify
• prepare
• readjust
• revise
• shape
• suit
• tailor