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play to the gallery

phrase

: to do things that one thinks will be popular among many people instead of doing what one thinks is right
a governor who refuses to play to the gallery

Examples of play to the gallery in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Arising from this, there is a perennial temptation for mathematicians to play to the gallery and to assume the role of magicians and, even more temptingly, high priests. — Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2011

Rhymes for play to the gallery

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Browse Nearby Words

play to
play to the gallery
play truant
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Cite this Entry

“Play to the gallery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20to%20the%20gallery. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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