play up
verb
played up; playing up; plays up
: emphasize
In the interview, try to play up your strengths.
Examples of play up in a Sentence
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
In their New York home, Tina and Joe have played up the charming historical details of their pre-war apartment like original molding and uneven walls.
—
Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The tense trailer indicates the series will play up the earlier films’ pulpy Southern Gothic vibe, as well as the terrifying horror of the previous adaptations if Bardem’s sinister, sadistic grin and prison tattoos tell us anything.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
The City manager made several bold tactical changes for the first leg at the Bernabeu, returning Nico O’Reilly to left-back and starting both Jeremy Doku and Savinho on the wings, as well as Antoine Semenyo, who played up front alongside Erling Haaland.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
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Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The tense trailer indicates the series will play up the earlier films’ pulpy Southern Gothic vibe, as well as the terrifying horror of the previous adaptations if Bardem’s sinister, sadistic grin and prison tattoos tell us anything.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
The City manager made several bold tactical changes for the first leg at the Bernabeu, returning Nico O’Reilly to left-back and starting both Jeremy Doku and Savinho on the wings, as well as Antoine Semenyo, who played up front alongside Erling Haaland.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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