play-off

[ pley-awf, -of ]

noun

1. (in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
2. a series of games or matches, as between the leading teams of two leagues, in order to decide a championship:

   In America the most exciting play-off is the World Series.

play off

verb

1. trusually foll byagainst to deal with or manipulate as if in playing a game

   to play one person off against another

2. intr to take part in a play-off

noun

1. sport an extra contest to decide the winner when two or more competitors are tied
2. a contest or series of games to determine a championship, as between the winners of two competitions

Word History and Origins

Origin of play-off¹

First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase play off

Example Sentences

Watching the actors play off each other as father and son provides one of the final season’s high points, reminding us of how much we’ll miss Laszlo.

From Salon

It’s a dynamic a lot of us immigrant children know well, and Hernández and Pascal play off each other like a real mother and son.

From Salon

Trump flipped the script by assuming the mantle of saving American jobs from waves of new migrants, while playing off those traditional values.

From Los Angeles Times

In League B, the two best third-placed teams play off against the two best-ranked second-placed teams of League C, with the winners playing in League B for the World Cup qualifying phase.

From BBC

There have been times in practice when Gilmer’s biorhythm monitors prompted coaches to make him take a couple of plays off.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• circumvent
• counter
• curb
• defeat
• foil
• frustrate
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• oppose
• prevent
• stop
• stymie