play the game
To obey the rules; do right; act fairly.
"That's not playing the game," we told him when he wanted to desert his wife.
"Oh, let's play the game," he said, when his partner suggested a way to keep from paying some of their debts.
Your parents want you to play the game in life.
play the market
To try to make money on the stock market by buying and selling stocks.
John lost all his savings playing the market.
Sometimes Mr. Smith makes a lot of money when he plays the market, and sometimes he loses.
play to the gallery
To try to get the approval of the audience.
Whenever John recites in class he seems to be playing to the gallery.
The lawyer for the defense was more interested in playing to the gallery than in winning the case.
play tricks on
To make another the victim of some trick or joke.
Al got angry when his classmates played a trick on him by hiding his clothes while he was swimming.
play up to
To try to gain the favor of, especially for selfish reasons; act to win the approval of; try to please.
He played up to the boss.
The other students in the class resent Jim because he plays up to the teacher in order to get better grades.
When my children asked me to go shopping for a new video game, I knew why they had been playing up to me all morning.
To use (something) to gain an end; to attend to (a weakness).
He played up to the old lady's vanity to get her support.
play up
To call attention to; talk more about; emphasize.
The coach played up the possibilities, and kept our minds off our weaknesses.
The director played up the woman's glamor to conceal her lack of acting ability.
play with fire
To put oneself in danger; to take risks.
Leaving your door unlocked in New York City is playing with fire.
The doctor told Mr. Smith that he must watch his diet if he doesn't want to play with fire.
played out
Tired out; worn out; finished; exhausted.
It had been a hard day, and by night he was played out.
For a while, at least, it seemed the interest in great speed was played out.