1 A2 neutral
To continue playing a sport or game without stopping.
"Despite the rain, the referee told the players to play on."
inseparable
play on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To continue playing, or to exploit someone's emotions, fears, or weaknesses.
In plain English
To keep playing without stopping, or to use someone's feelings to get what you want.
What does "play on" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To exploit someone's emotions, fears, or weaknesses for your own advantage.
"The advertisement plays on parents' fears about their children's safety."
“
"He played on the nation's anger and fear."
— The Guardian, 2016
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To make a pun or joke based on the double meaning of a word (often 'play on words').
"The title of the book is a clever play on the word 'heir'."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To continue playing on (a surface or field).
Actually means
To keep playing without stopping, or to use someone's feelings to get what you want.
Usage tip
The sense of exploiting emotions ('play on someone's fears') is common in journalism and political writing. The sense of continuing a game is used in sports commentary.
Words that pair with "play on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fears emotions guilt insecurities words sympathies
How to conjugate "play on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
play on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plays on
he/she/it
Past simple
played on
yesterday
Past participle
played on
have + pp
-ing form
playing on
continuous
Hear "play on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "play on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.