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

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 • Mar. 16, 2022

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

He rehearsed all the afternoon how he should play the heavy father for the young man's edification till he reduced his children to helpless giggling.

From Of Human Bondage by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)