make a play for
idiom
1
: to try to get (someone or something)
She made a play for the job, but she didn't get it.
2
: to try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with (someone)
He made a play for her.
Examples of make a play for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Doncic and James will now have more time to team up and make a play for an NBA championship together at least one more time.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
The four-star recruit from Ohio could make a play for second-team snaps if there’s an injury or one of the freshmen falters in camp.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Some camp reports have already speculated that Dowdle, the former UDFA, is the most explosive back in drills and could make a play for the lion’s share of backfield touches as early as Week 1.
—Jake Ciely, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Future unclear LaVine has been in trade rumors for years now, and despite the fact that his contract might be a little steep, now is the time for a contender to latch on, and make a play for him.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
The four-star recruit from Ohio could make a play for second-team snaps if there’s an injury or one of the freshmen falters in camp.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Some camp reports have already speculated that Dowdle, the former UDFA, is the most explosive back in drills and could make a play for the lion’s share of backfield touches as early as Week 1.
—Jake Ciely, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Future unclear LaVine has been in trade rumors for years now, and despite the fact that his contract might be a little steep, now is the time for a contender to latch on, and make a play for him.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make a play for
Cite this Entry
“Make a play for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20play%20for. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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