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

Maye threw three touchdowns in the third quarter alone, first finding tight end Hunter Henry on a bootleg play-action pass, then Stefon Diggs on a slant and Boutte deep down the left sideline in the final minute. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

Though the Lions’ offensive linemen do an excellent job of selling run on play-action passes, there’s still a subtle difference to note early between run blocking and pass blocking. —Jesse Newell, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

All of it led to Young throwing a play-action pass to Evans from the 4. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025

The Broncos’ ability to rip off some big runs — Gaines for 28, Sherrod for 22 — allowed play-action passes to work well. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for play-action pass

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