play tricks

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

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

   The neighbour's children keep playing tricks on each other.

   2 more examples

   You play tricks on my mind / You're everywhere but you're so hard to find

   1981, Mick Jones, “Urgent”, performed by Foreigner

   "[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work."

   2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30

2. Of one's eyes, mind, etc.: to deceive or mislead one.

   Is that man naked, or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

   1 more example

   Sometimes I give myself the creeps / Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me

   1994, Green Day, “Basket Case”, in Dookie