a total play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is entirely or completely a performance, act, or strategy, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The negotiation was just a total play to distract us from the real issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Combining leadership both in DSL, flat-panel displays, microchip memories and CDMA handset/cameras, Samsung represents a total play in Korean bandwidth and will join our list this month.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The catalog number is N09D-004 and it has a total playing time of 20 25.

Wikipedia

It contains 2648 titles— roughly a week of continuous total play time and covers the time span from 1983 until now.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

For good measure, he put Daffy's final delivery over the ropes as well, and now Somerset had a total to play with.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is a total scale play in an industry where scale is what matters the most".

Los Angeles Times

I mean I just had a total blast playing King John.

The Guardian

The trailer, which landed on Thursday and has the nether regions of the internet in a total tizz, plays like a reunion despite being dubbed a "prequel".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Part of his secret is that, as a young player, Elano became a total footballer, playing in every position bar goalkeeper en route to being part of the best Santos side since Pele's day.

The Guardian - Sport

Although the Arkansas-Mississippi game did not involve top contenders, it certainly did entertain, with a record-setting 198 total plays and 988 yards of offense.

The New York Times - Sports

The 14-minute, 26-second final drive from the Midshipmen, measured by its 26 total plays, set a record for the longest drive in a game.

Wikipedia

More new plays: A total of 137 new plays and musicals were staged by the 62 theatre companies in 2009.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a total play" to describe situations where an action or event is entirely contrived or performed for a specific effect. Ensure the context clearly indicates the artificial or strategic nature of the described action.

Common error

Avoid using "a total play" in purely literal contexts where a more direct description would suffice. Reserve it for situations involving deception, strategy, or performance for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total play" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It describes something that is entirely a performance, strategy, or act. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total play" is a noun phrase denoting something entirely contrived or strategically performed. While grammatically sound, according to Ludwig AI, its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily surfacing in news and media contexts. Using it effectively involves conveying skepticism or criticism about the authenticity of an action. When a more direct description would suffice, it is recommended to avoid using this phrase in order to be as impactful as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete performance

Emphasizes the thoroughness and execution of the play or act.

a pure act

Focuses on the genuineness and unadulterated nature of the play.

an utter performance

Highlights the complete and absolute nature of the performance.

a strategic move

Shifts the focus to the tactical aspect and planned nature of the play.

a calculated maneuver

Emphasizes the deliberate and thoughtful planning behind the action.

a staged event

Highlights the artificial and arranged nature of the play.

a theatrical display

Focuses on the dramatic and showy aspect of the play.

an elaborate scheme

Emphasizes the complexity and intricacy of the plan.

a master stroke

Highlights the skill and brilliance involved in the play.

a deliberate action

Focuses on the intentional and purposeful nature of the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a total play" to describe a situation where someone is feigning or exaggerating something, such as "His apology seemed like "a total play" to gain sympathy."

What are some alternatives to using "a total play"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a complete performance", "a pure act", or "an utter performance".

Is it better to use "a total play" or "a total scale play"?

The choice depends on the context. "A total play" generally refers to a complete act or performance, while "a total scale play" specifically refers to a strategy involving significant expansion or scaling in an industry or market.

What does it mean when someone describes something as "a total play"?

It typically means they believe the action or event is contrived, staged, or performed for a specific purpose, often implying a lack of sincerity or authenticity.