play cat and mouse with
To tease or fool (someone) by pretending to let him go free and then catching him again.
Уходить от ответа; дурачить; "играть в кошки-мышки".
Joe's uncle had fun playing cat and mouse with him.
The policeman decided to play cat and mouse when he saw the woman steal the dress in the store.
Please, stop playing cat and mouse with me; I want to know your intentions immediately.
Пожалуйста, перестань играть с "кошки-мышки" со мной, я хочу знать твои намерения сейчас же.
play down
To give less emphasis to; make (something) seem less important; divert attention from; draw notice away from.
The newspaper stories played down the actor's unattractive past.
A salesman's job is to emphasize the good points of his merchandise; he must play down any faults it has.
play dumb
play ignorant
Притворяться глупым или непонимающим.
The girl played ignorant when her mother asked her about the missing money.
Девочка притворилась непонимающей, когда ее мама спросила ее про исчезнувшие деньги.
play fair
To do what is right to others; act in a fair and truthful way.
The boys like the principal because he always plays fair.
Mary would not date any other boys while Jim, her favorite boyfriend, was away; she said that would not be playing fair.
play fast and loose
To do as you please without caring what will happen to other people; act so carelessly or unfairly that people cannot depend on you; be very unreliable.
He played fast and loose with the girl's affections.
He played fast and loose with the company's good name.
play footsie
Touch the feet of a member of the opposite sex under the table as an act of flirtation.
Have you at least played footsie with her?
To engage in any sort of flirtation or collaboration, especially in a political situation.
The mayor was suspected of playing footsie with the Syndicate.
play for keeps
To take an action of finality and irreversibility.
"Are you serious about me?" she asked. "Yes," he replied. "I want to marry you. I play for keeps."
play hard ball
To act aggressively or ruthlessly to get what you want.
Concerning your work situation, you’re in no position to play hard ball with management.