play-action pass

noun

play-ac·​tion pass

: a pass play in football in which the quarterback fakes a handoff before passing the ball

called also play-action

Examples of play-action pass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There was a play-action pass in which Young found McMillan settled nicely in the middle of the field, finding an open pocket against a zone look. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

The quarterback’s most impressive throw of the day came on an under-center play-action pass to Royals. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026

During an early first-team period, Ferrell hunted Malik Willis down from across the field on a play-action pass, closing from the opposite side for a would-be sack. — Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Seventh-round rookie Jam Miller keeps stacking positive days, even flashing in blitz pickup on a Tommy DeVito play-action pass to Mack Hollins. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for play-action pass

• bermudagrass
• ecclesiastes
• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass