play up

verb

1. tr to emphasize or highlight

   to play up one's best features

2. informal.
   to behave irritatingly (towards)
3. informal.
   intr (of a machine, car, etc) to function erratically

   the car is playing up again

4. informal.
   to hurt; give (one) pain or trouble

   my back's playing me up again

5. play up to
   1. to support (another actor) in a performance
   2. to try to gain favour with by flattery

Idioms and Phrases

Emphasize or publicize, as in In the press interview, the coach played up the importance of having a strong defense . [c. 1900] Also see play down ; play up to .

Example Sentences

This time, Harris is playing up the fear factor about a Trump return.

From BBC

Trump and his allies on the right have sought to play up this time in her career, depicting her as part of a “San Francisco liberal elite”.

From BBC

Fans widely lauded Garr’s guest appearances, with some calling her “perfectly cast” given her striking resemblance to Kudrow both in appearance and mannerisms — the latter of which is played up on “Friends.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is another one where Bellingham could play up front alongside Kane.

From BBC

As a former high school football coach, he’s sought to play up his background and links to America’s most popular sport.

From BBC

Related Words

• point up