Phrase Hound found 175 phrases and 52 compound words that contain plays. The most common are listed below. Open plays in the live search for definitions, filters, and the full list.
Phrases 175
- plays the systemthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the system: To use the rules and procedures meant to protect a system in order to instead manipulate the system for a desired outcome.
- plays a partthird-person singular simple present indicative of play a part: To be involved in such a way to affect the outcome, to be a contributing factor.
- plays a rolethird-person singular simple present indicative of play a role: To have an effect or influence on a situation or outcome; to contribute to something.
- plays the ballthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the ball: To attack the ball instead of an opponent who is usually controlling the ball. Often considered a positive action, and sometimes a requirement not to concede a penalty.
- plays the boardthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the board: To have as one's best hand the communal cards on the board. A player in such a situation can only achieve a split pot at best, since all the other players can also play the …
- plays the fieldthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the field: To cut one's losses by betting on every racehorse other than the crowd favorite.
- plays the gamethird-person singular simple present indicative of play the game: To behave fairly; to abide by the rules.
- plays the manthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the man: To attack an opponent instead of attacking the ball, which is usually being controlled by the attacked player at the time.
- plays the oddsthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the odds: To act, hoping for a particular, possible outcome.
- plays outthird-person singular simple present indicative of play out: To play (a game etc.) to its conclusion.
- plays on wordsplural of play on words: A pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.
- plays with firethird-person singular simple present indicative of play with fire: To put oneself in a precarious situation with a high risk of getting harmed, particularly emotionally or financially.
- pack and playsplural of pack and play: A portable folding crib that can also be used as a play area or a baby-changing station.
- plays likethird-person singular simple present indicative of play like: To pretend.
- audio playsplural of audio play: A radio show, such as a radio drama; a radioplay (script for such a show).
- double playsplural of double play: A defensive play in which two outs are recorded.
- extended playsplural of extended play: A musical recording that contains more music than a single, but is usually too short to qualify as a full studio album or LP.
- long-playsplural of long-play: Ellipsis of long-play record, a 12- or 10-inch microgroove phonograph record format introduced in 1948.
- power playsplural of power play: Tactics used to magnify power or influence.
- problem playsplural of problem play: A form of drama that emerged in the 19th century as part of realism, dealing with contentious social issues through debates between the characters on stage, who typically represent conflicting points of view within …
- radio playsplural of radio play: Dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD.
- stage playsplural of stage play: A play written to be performed on the stage.
- mystery playsplural of mystery play: A medieval dramatic performance depicting events from Christian scriptures, especially events from the life of Jesus Christ.
- shadow playsplural of shadow play: An ancient form of storytelling and entertainment using opaque, often articulated figures in front of an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images.
- passion playsplural of passion play: A play depicting the Passion of Christ.
Compound words 52
- displaysplural of display: A show or spectacle.
- screenplaysplural of screenplay: A script for a movie or a television show; especially, the former specifically.
- playsetsplural of playset: A themed collection of similar toys designed to work together to enact some action or event.
- downplaysthird-person singular simple present indicative of downplay: To de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.
- fingerplaysplural of fingerplay: A rhyme for young children consisting of a set of hand movements coordinated with a song or chant.
- roleplaysplural of roleplay: To act out a scenario or fantasy with another person or other people.
- ageplaysthird-person singular simple present indicative of ageplay: A form of roleplay in which the player deliberately acts an age different from their own (and usually younger).
- airplaysplural of airplay: The playing of a particular song, band or genre on the radio, or the frequency with which it is played.
- antiplaysplural of antiplay: A play (dramatical production) that deliberately avoids the typical conventions of the play, such as a coherent plot and resolution.
- autoplaysthird-person singular simple present indicative of autoplay: Any software feature that plays (a video, a compact disc, etc.) automatically.