1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To exaggerate or give more emphasis to something than it deserves.
"The media tended to play up the rivalry between the two athletes."
separable
play up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To exaggerate or emphasize something, to misbehave, or (of a machine) to stop working properly.
In plain English
To make something seem bigger or more important than it is, or to behave badly, or when something stops working right.
What does "play up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
(British informal) To misbehave or cause trouble, especially said of children.
"The kids started playing up as soon as the babysitter arrived."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
(British informal) For a machine or part of the body to malfunction or cause pain.
"My old laptop has been playing up all week — it keeps crashing."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To play in an upward direction.
Actually means
To make something seem bigger or more important than it is, or to behave badly, or when something stops working right.
Usage tip
Very common in British English. 'The boiler is playing up' means it is malfunctioning. 'The children are playing up' means they are misbehaving. 'Play up your strengths' means to emphasize them.
Words that pair with "play up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
injury strengths symptoms children computer knee
How to conjugate "play up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
play up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plays up
he/she/it
Past simple
played up
yesterday
Past participle
played up
have + pp
-ing form
playing up
continuous
Hear "play up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "play up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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