play out

verb

played out; playing out; plays out

transitive verb

1

a

: to perform to the end

play out a role

b

: use up, finish

2

: unreel, unfold

played out a length of line

Gordon Webber

intransitive verb

1

: to become spent or exhausted

2

: develop, unfold

see how things play out

Synonyms

• absorb
• burn
• consume
• deplete
• devour
• drain
• draw down
• exhaust
• expend
• spend
• use up

Example Sentences

we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal

Recent Examples on the Web

The administration is hoping the high court will block the previous orders so that the relief plan can move forward while legal challenges play out, per AP. Theara Coleman, The Week, 18 Nov. 2022

While those efforts play out, some people have simply rented storefronts and started selling pot without permission. Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 18 Nov. 2022

As court challenges play out and new legislation emerges, the number of states barring abortions could total as many as 26, said Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central, which has 28 health centers across a five-state region. Tom Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2022

If similar dynamics play out in the metaverse, the level of harm could increase significantly, some experts worry. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 27 Oct. 2022

When asked if police might play out a scenario similar to what Burks had been going through, Leonard-Gilbert deferred the question to the Detroit-Wayne Integrated Health System. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 12 Oct. 2022

So this is one of the scenarios that is starting to get a lot more attention: how nuclear-escalation dynamics would play out, should China decide to actually invade Taiwan. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2022

If things play out that way, the Chargers are better equipped to prevail -- this despite the Browns ranking No. 4 in total yardage. cleveland, 7 Oct. 2022

Industry loss estimates for Hurricane Ian are still in flux, and in any event the actual loss tally won’t be settled for some time as litigation and claims adjustments play out. Telis Demos, WSJ, 5 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

play out

verb

1

: to perform to the end

2

a

: to use up or finish

b

: to become exhausted : tire

3

: unreel, unfold