play the martyr

phrase

: to act like someone who deserves admiration or sympathy because of being badly treated

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play the market
play the martyr
play the part
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Cite this Entry

“Play the martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20the%20martyr. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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