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 figuratively

I'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

When Nora refuses the lead role, Borg brings in a famous American actress (Fanning) to play the part instead. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2025

Luckily, her best friend Luka Peters is willing to step in, hot chocolate in hand, and play the part. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

For once, America’s most elite institutions get to play the part of newcomer and little guy. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 28 Nov. 2025

In their role games and reenactments of the Catalan tale of Sant Jordi at home, Sasplugas observed her little girl using a drumstick to play the part of the knight who killed a dragon to save his princess. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for play the part

• counterpart
• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart