play up

British  

verb

1. (tr) to emphasize or highlight

   to play up one's best features

2. informal to behave irritatingly (towards)

3. informal (intr) (of a machine, car, etc) to function erratically

   the car is playing up again

4. informal to hurt; give (one) pain or trouble

   my back's playing me up again

5. 1. to support (another actor) in a performance

   2. to try to gain favour with by flattery

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play up Idioms  

1. Emphasize or publicize, as in In the press interview, the coach played up the importance of having a strong defense. [c. 1900] Also see play down; play up to.

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Example Sentences

Yes, Jonny didn't play up to scratch but neither did I. I was trying too hard because I wanted to win.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“It’s expected that we play up the ‘Get Out’ aspect.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

“Didn’t play up to our standard in some areas, and had chances to finish that game,” Stafford said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

This season there is a record seven international games across five countries and under the NFL's current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league can play up to 10 per year.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

I said that the question had made me aware of how careful Malcolm X had always been to play himself down and to play up his leader Elijah Muhammad.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• point up