play-off
[ pley-awf, -of ]
/ ˈpleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
noun
(in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
a series of games or matches, as between the leading teams of two leagues, in order to decide a championship: In America the most exciting play-off is the World Series.
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Origin of play-off
First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase play off
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for play-off
British Dictionary definitions for play-off
play off
verb (adverb)
(tr usually foll by against) to deal with or manipulate as if in playing a gameto play one person off against another
(intr) to take part in a play-off
noun play-off
sport an extra contest to decide the winner when two or more competitors are tied
mainly US and Canadian a contest or series of games to determine a championship, as between the winners of two competitions
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with play-off
play off
See under play both ends against the middle.
Break a tie by playing an additional game or period, as in Each team had won three games so they had to play off the tie to decide the championship.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.