Synonyms

play the market

Idioms

Trade in securities in order to make money, as in He is always playing the market with only mixed results. This term uses play in the sense of “gamble,” a usage dating from about 1500.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Trying to play the market in this environment is fraught with danger," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

Indeed, the original HODLer in 2013 had no illusions about their ability to play the market.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2022

What is clear is that buybacks incentivize corporations to play the market poorly, even as they keep investors happy.

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2018

In fact, investors themselves incur many as they play the market in unproductive ways.

From US News • Nov. 2, 2015

In part it's my fault that any of these quarter-wits have any money to play the market with.

From The Cosmic Computer by Piper, H. Beam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023