play the heavy

Idioms  

1. Act the part of a villain; take the blame for unkind behavior. For example, She can't bear firing an employee, so she relies on Jim to play the heavy. This colloquial term comes from the theater, where heavy has been used for a stern, serious role or that of a villain since the early 1800s.

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Example Sentences

Sometimes you play the heavy, you play the bad guy, you're the creepy guy.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2024

Mr. Lloyd went back to the New York stage until Houseman brought him to the attention of Hitchcock, who was seeking an unknown to play the heavy in “Saboteur.”

From Washington Post • May 11, 2021

D’Urville, hired to direct as well as to play the heavy, can barely tolerate the amateurish anarchy on the “Dolemite” set.

From New York Times • Oct. 2, 2019

For major championship golf or public play, the heavy lifting takes place over 17 holes.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2019

I am going to play the heavy father.

From The Rough Road by Locke, William John