play up

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

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

   Our school team is playing up at the old recreation ground.

2. UKidiomaticTo misbehave.

   The radar system is playing up again.

   1 more example

   Children who do not receive enough attention may begin to play up.

   Synonyms: act up

3. transitiveTo make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

   For the audition, Nicole will play up her skill as a pianist by playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach.

   Synonyms: overemphasize, overstate, stretch, big up, cut it fat, exaggerate, hyperbolize, overcharge · Antonyms: play down

4. intransitiveTo play (e.g. sport or music) more vigorously.

   I can't hear the ukuleles at the back. Play up please!

   1 more example

   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

5. slangtransitiveTo be unfaithful to a lover; to cheat; used with on.

   […] the young fulla Jack'd brought along looked like he might suit in an emergency, and what the fuck, Jack'd already said she weren't interested. Serve Rog right if she played up on him.

   1997, Melissa Lucashenko, Steam Pigs, page 176

   1 more example

   'Would you ever play up on me given the chance?' asked Stacy. 'Never, why?' asked William. […] 'Oh! Just when I was younger, I had a few guys take me out and when I didn't put out in the first week, it was the last I would see of them,' explained Stacy.

   2013, Ross W. Nielsen, The South American Coffee Shop Chronicles, page 123