play in

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

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

   The children are playing in the sandpit.

2. reflexiveplay oneself inball gamesOf a batsman, to settle and become comfortable with the conditions at the beginning of his innings.
3. transitiveball gamesTo pass (someone) the ball into an attacking position.

   Zubar played in Doyle down the Wolves left and his ball into the box evaded several players before falling for Mujangi Bia to finally drive in a second past Neil Sullivan.

   2011 January 18, “Wolverhampton 5 - 0 Doncaster”, in BBC

   1 more example

   Salah bamboozled Lisandro Martinez to play in Gakpo for another classy finish three minutes later before the Egyptian resumed his long-time role of United tormentor by getting on the scoresheet himself.

   2023 March 5, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport