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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play at

Cap off your day with a play at the Blackfriars Playhouse, about a mile away, which is home to the American Shakespeare Center, the only replica of Shakespeare’s original indoor theater in London.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

“Play more violent, and tougher, and more detailed than the guy across from you. One play at a time, you’ll get the result.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

Usually on Sundays, the Dodgers play at 1 o’clock, but if it’s a nationally broadcast game sometimes it’ll be on at 4 o’clock.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

This season is their fourth consecutive campaign outside the top tier, but Hertha continue to play at Berlin's Olympiastadion and regularly attract more than 50,000 fans.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

He could play at duck on a rock with the boys.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---