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
Whereas Cheap Trick used to play up to 250 shows a year in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the band now averages about 75.
—
Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Without acknowledging Pritzker’s substantial financial support in the primary, Stratton’s campaign sent an email to donors Thursday that played up Tracy’s early fundraising edge.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, Kennedy testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, playing up his agency's accomplishments on a range of issues - from drug price negotiations to the new dietary guidelines - and did his best to sidestep criticism of his controversial actions on vaccines.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Well, for one thing, the backlash was played up.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play up
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Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Without acknowledging Pritzker’s substantial financial support in the primary, Stratton’s campaign sent an email to donors Thursday that played up Tracy’s early fundraising edge.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, Kennedy testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, playing up his agency's accomplishments on a range of issues - from drug price negotiations to the new dietary guidelines - and did his best to sidestep criticism of his controversial actions on vaccines.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Well, for one thing, the backlash was played up.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2026.
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