play the part
idiom
: to act the part of (a particular character) in a film, play, etc.
He often plays the part of the villain.
—often used figurativelyI've played the part of (the) devoted wife and mother, and now I want to do something more with my life.
He was playing the part of (the) gracious host.
Examples of play the part in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, Reeves didn’t just play the part for laughs.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
The tennis champ told Flaunt Magazine that after guiding her younger sister through some tough times, she’s decided to play the part of the cool older sister instead.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Before Weapons writer/director Zach Cregger cast Josh Brolin to play Archer, the father of a missing kid, Pascal was set to play the part.
—EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Perhaps Gen Z should be applauded for allowing the mask to slip, and refusing to play the part of the attentive employee, who is always expected to deliver service with a friendly smile.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for play the part
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Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
The tennis champ told Flaunt Magazine that after guiding her younger sister through some tough times, she’s decided to play the part of the cool older sister instead.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Before Weapons writer/director Zach Cregger cast Josh Brolin to play Archer, the father of a missing kid, Pascal was set to play the part.
—EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Perhaps Gen Z should be applauded for allowing the mask to slip, and refusing to play the part of the attentive employee, who is always expected to deliver service with a friendly smile.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for play the part
Cite this Entry
“Play the part.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20the%20part. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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