a quick play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a theatrical performance that is brief in duration or a game that is played quickly. Example: "The director decided to stage a quick play to entertain the audience during the intermission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Players without figurines can still enjoy a Quick Play mode.

The Guardian - Tech

It was going to be a quick play, open for a second.

The New York Times - Sports

"I sensed the ball hit the wall but it's a quick play and there's no way of telling," Perez said.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of punting, the Broncos rush up to the line for a quick play out of the no-huddle.

The Guardian - Sport

But when Ike Davis followed with a bloop near the mound, Wright was doubled off when Zimmerman, the third baseman, made a quick play and fired to first.

The New York Times - Sports

On the limited evidence of a quick play with it surrounded by hordes of people, it's not the camera for me.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"They are very strong in that area, and it's hard to get a quick play-the-ball".

The Guardian - Sport

The company's all-singing, all-dancing press conferences regularly involve a quick play-through of a video game, but usually under the guise of a graphics demonstration.

The Guardian - Tech

The second of those tries epitomised Widnes' predicament; with Setaimata Sa looking for a quick play-the-ball, there was no Vikings man at dummy-half, allowing Brough to collect the loose ball and race home.

The Guardian

Huby has always been one of the game's more watchable props with a subtle ball-playing ability to enhance his power, but it is his ability to generate a quick play-the-ball for the hooker Daryl Clark which is proving especially valuable to Cas this year.

The Guardian - Sport

After an early Issac Luke effort was turned down by the video referee, a break by the hooker and a quick play-the-ball freed up Goodwin on the left for the opening try but Johnson missed the kick.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events in sports or games, use "a quick play" to emphasize the speed and efficiency of a particular action or sequence. This highlights the reactive nature and skill involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick play" when describing scenarios that require meticulous planning or slow execution. It's best suited for situations where spontaneity and speed are key.

Linguistic Context

A quick play functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific instance of rapid action or execution. Ludwig examples highlight its use in diverse scenarios like sports and gaming.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8.333333333333332%

Less common in

Science

8.333333333333332%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “a quick play” is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe swift actions, particularly in sports and games. Ludwig’s examples show that it's mostly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI also confirms its correct usage. It is recommended to use this phrase when emphasizing the speed and efficiency of an action, while being mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. Alternatives like "a swift game" or "a rapid performance" can be used to add variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a swift game

Replaces "quick" with "swift" and "play" with "game", maintaining the sense of speed and brevity in a gaming context.

a rapid performance

Substitutes "quick" with "rapid" and "play" with "performance", emphasizing the speed of an activity or show.

a fast move

Replaces "quick" with "fast" and "play" with "move", focusing on the velocity of an action or maneuver.

a speedy action

Changes "quick" to "speedy" and "play" to "action", highlighting the haste of a particular deed.

a brisk bout

Uses "brisk" instead of "quick" and "bout" instead of "play", suggesting a short and energetic period of activity.

a fleeting moment

Alters the phrase to describe something that is brief and transient, capturing the essence of brevity.

a momentary action

Emphasizes the short duration of the action, conveying a sense of transience.

a brief activity

Simplifies the phrase to denote a short and concise undertaking.

a short burst

Indicates a sudden and brief exertion or period of activity.

a rushed attempt

Implies an attempt made hastily, focusing on the hurried nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick play" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick play" to describe a rapid sequence of actions in sports, games, or even theatrical performances. For example, "The team executed "a quick play" to score before the halftime buzzer".

What are some synonyms for "a quick play"?

Alternatives include "a swift move", "a rapid performance", or "a speedy action", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "a quick play" formal or informal language?

"A quick play" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news, sports commentary, and general conversation.

What's the difference between "a quick play" and "a quick game"?

"A quick play" typically refers to a specific maneuver or action within a game or performance, while "a quick game" usually refers to the entire match or event being short in duration.