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

Although the case is different from some of the callous state-level antics that have gotten media attention recently—such as the removal of migrants from the state of Texas to Martha’s Vineyard with false promises of employment and cash assistance—it is another reminder that Republican-led states want to play the heavy in the larger immigration policy debate.

From Slate

The administration can play the heavy in a local dispute without having to worry about alienating its entire voting base.

From New York Times

He could play the heavy in floor debates and committee meetings, pressing Democrats with tough questions and drawing blood with verbal jabs.

From Washington Post

And I found myself saying, “Well, he’s just got all this range. He can play the lighthearted keys, but he can also play the heavy keys in the bass clef. And somehow the character contains both.”

From The Verge