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

That opened the door for Simmons to dial up a max-protect play-action pass. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

Mahomes was 14-for-14 for 201 yards and a touchdown on play-action passes Sunday against the Dolphins, per ESPN Analytics, tied for the most play-action throws without an incompletion in the last 20 years. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

The Falcons drew up quick passing plays for Penix to get going, and once the Packers had to respect Robinson’s running ability, play-action passes were Penix’s bread and butter. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Fecht wasted little time getting the aerial game going, using a play-action pass to Riley and finding Bell over the top for the easy TD to set the tone. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for play-action pass

• bermudagrass
• ecclesiastes
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• bromegrass
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• crabgrass
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