play the game

present singular third person plays the game · participle present playing the game · participle past played the game · past played the game

1. To behave fairly; to abide by the rules.

   And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, / Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, / But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote / "Play up! play up! and play the game!"

   1892, Henry Newbolt, Vitaï Lampada

   1 more example

   Myth #5— Acceptance and participation in the mainstream of society is automatically desirable. In order to be accepted you may have to compromise important personal values because average middle-American values are most important. You have to "play the game".

   1979 December 1, Ron Vachon, quoting Bernice Goodman, “Homosexuality: Changing Clinical Perspectives”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 19, page 3

   Synonyms: play by the rules