play up to
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To act very nicely toward someone powerful or important so they will like you and give you something.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To flatter or behave in an excessively pleasing way toward someone in order to gain their favor.
"He always plays up to the director, laughing at all his jokes."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To adjust one's performance or behavior to match what a particular audience wants or expects.
"The talk-show host clearly plays up to the studio audience, going for big laughs."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Often implies some degree of insincerity. Common in workplace and social contexts. Similar in tone to 'butter up' but 'play up to' also includes adjusting one's behavior to match someone's expectations.
Commonly used with
boss teacher audience cameras gallery critics
Forms
Base
play up to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plays up to
he/she/it
Past simple
played up to
yesterday
Past participle
played up to
have + pp
-ing form
playing up to
continuous
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