play up

phraseC12 meaningsinformal · an editor’s judgementNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To play up is to behave badly — or, of a bad knee or an old car, to give trouble. Two senses about something not cooperating.

The behaviour sense is used about children and is mild, so a class playing up is being difficult rather than dangerous. The trouble sense is very British and oddly affectionate, since saying that a shoulder is playing up again treats the body like a temperamental machine. There is a third sense meaning to emphasise, since playing up an advantage means making the most of it.

Definitions of play up

1phraseplay upTo behave badly or be difficult.C1
“The children always play up on a wet afternoon.”
2phrasebodyOf a part of the body or a machine, to cause trouble.C1
“His back will play up if he sits too long.”

Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove

First appears in chapter 7 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word

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play up

phraseC12 meaningsinformal · an editor’s judgementNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To play up is to behave badly — or, of a bad knee or an old car, to give trouble. Two senses about something not cooperating.

Definitions of play up

1phraseplay upTo behave badly or be difficult.C1
“The children always play up on a wet afternoon.”
2phrasebodyOf a part of the body or a machine, to cause trouble.C1
“His back will play up if he sits too long.”

Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove

First appears in chapter 7 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word