play false

Idioms and Phrases

Deceive or betray one, as in If my memory does not play false, I met them years ago in Italy . [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

HILLYRE: A somewhat screechy instrument prone to playing false notes; produces an inexplicable twang in southern climes.

From Washington Post

Spoilers for last Sunday’s , “The Other Woman,” and previous episodes, below: Joan Harris was manipulated, played false and used on Sunday night.

From Time

A player who has never troubled himself to learn the leads is perpetually playing false cards, and deceiving his partner.

From Project Gutenberg

It is as if the eye should conspire to cheat the hand, or the one hand play false to the other.

From Project Gutenberg

I had kept my word loyally to--well, to Ashlock, since so I still must term him, even in my thoughts--nay, was still keeping it the while he played false with me.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abandon
• deceive
• forsake
• mislead
• seduce