in play
Idioms-
In action or operation. For example, A number of conflicting forces were in play, so the outcome was uncertain . It is also put as bring into play , meaning “to put into action,” as in The surprise witness brought new evidence into play . [Mid-1600s]
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In sports, in a position to be legally or feasibly played, as in The ball is now in play . [Late 1700s]
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In business, in a position for a possible corporate takeover, as in After a news item said the company was in play, the price of its stock began to rise . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It also could put even higher oil and gas prices in play, as well as increased costs for fertilizer, transporting goods and many products based on petrochemicals.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026
Because buyers can afford to wait for lower pricing while sellers often can’t, liquidity discounts remain in play.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
It is not possible to give a foul when the ball is not in play.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
Unless something changes for the better, selloffs could resurface when the index hits 7000, putting a “potential bearish pattern” in play.
From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026
My powers were in play and in force.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
