play at

present singular third person plays at · participle present playing at · participle past played at · past played at

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, at.

   The band are playing at the Odeon tonight.

2. To pretend to be a different person while playing a game.

   So we played at being pirates for a while.

3. To do something in a manner that lacks seriousness, commitment, or professionalism.

   In my opinion, John only plays at being an author. He hasn't sold more than two magazine articles in as many months.

   1 more example

   'You don't like him, Captain, do you?' 'No, I don't. He plays at being loyal.'

   2015, Andrew O'Hagan, The Illuminations, →ISBN, page 94

4. especiallyUsed to suggest that someone is doing something very wrong, or incorrectly, usually with the possibility of causing damage or harm.

   Hey! Stop throwing stones at the swans! What on earth do you think you're playing at?

5. archaicTo play (a game).