play up
verb
played up; playing up; plays up
: emphasize
In the interview, try to play up your strengths.
Examples of play up in a Sentence
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
Recent Examples on the Web
The governor’s campaign played up her Patriots fandom this week in an email that featured a photo of the governor wearing a Drake Maye jersey.
—
State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Quick bios have always played up Newsom’s close relationship (and business ties) with the heirs to the Getty oil fortune and links to San Francisco’s political aristocracy.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
In between explaining the Capex increase, executives on Wednesday's call played up AI wins from the quarter.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
At Anfield, both wingers began the game, with Gordon playing up front as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa sat on the substitutes’ bench.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
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State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Quick bios have always played up Newsom’s close relationship (and business ties) with the heirs to the Getty oil fortune and links to San Francisco’s political aristocracy.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
In between explaining the Capex increase, executives on Wednesday's call played up AI wins from the quarter.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
At Anfield, both wingers began the game, with Gordon playing up front as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa sat on the substitutes’ bench.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
Cite this Entry
“Play up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20up. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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