play at

Idioms  

1. Do or take part in half-heartedly, as in She was just playing at keeping house, letting the others do all the work. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Although he returned to action last month at Steyn City in South Africa, where he finished tied for 48th place, it was unclear whether he would play at Augusta.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Whatever the state of play at that point will be exactly what he set out to achieve.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Round number theory then came into play at $30 with a bearish shooting star candle on March 19.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Tuchel has continuously built his England squad with imposing defenders and strong runners and with Quansah also able to play at centre-back, it has added another block on Alexander-Arnold's route to the World Cup.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Happy music sounds like the music they play at the beginning of baseball games, except sped up, and looped over and over and over again, until every lady in the church catches the spirit.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds