gets played up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets played up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is exaggerated or emphasized more than it should be. Example: "The media often gets played up the importance of celebrity scandals to attract viewers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the story gets played up in blogs and by the conservative media because it makes Democrats look like criminal conspirators.The truth undergirding all of this: America's voting systems are incredibly flawed with machinery, deadlines, and regulations that differ from county to county.

The Economist

From a tourism standpoint, it's obvious why the connection with the movie gets played up, even more so this year because it's the 10th anniversary of the release.

Forbes

Here the goodness of the grain gets played up with tapenade, a sexy black olive paste.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I just don't want it to get played up too much.

The New York Times - Arts

The phony registrations are getting played up for many of the same reason Democrats are playing up the Bush-Cheney campaign's direct-mail anti-fraud campaigns: Party politics.

The Economist

This dichotomy between political and economic systems seems to be getting played up in the initial round of promotions for the AAGC.

Forbes

All eyes will be on Centre Court, however, when Murray fulfils the tradition of all returning champions by getting play up and running in the famous arena.

BBC

Encouraged by the author, who appeared in rehearsals in John Lennon glasses with his trademark "scrubbing-brush hair", they got Play up to breakneck speed.

The Guardian

You've got to play up to that," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"If I get to play up front I hope to score 10 goals this season".

BBC

"Hopefully, I'll get to play up front in the next few games.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets played up" when you want to convey that something is being exaggerated or emphasized, often to create a particular effect or perception. Be mindful of the potential for negative connotations, as it can imply manipulation or distortion.

Common error

Avoid using "gets played up" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "is emphasized" or "is given prominence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets played up" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that something is being exaggerated or emphasized. Ludwig AI shows how it is used to describe the manipulation of information or the highlighting of certain aspects over others.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets played up" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies exaggeration or overemphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, although it can also appear in more informal settings. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, opting for more formal alternatives like "is emphasized" in academic or professional writing. The phrase's purpose is to convey that something is being presented with a bias or intent to amplify its importance, so choose it when you want to highlight this aspect of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is exaggerated

Focuses on the act of making something seem larger or more important than it is.

is overemphasized

Highlights the act of giving something excessive importance.

is hyped up

Emphasizes the promotion of something to generate excitement, potentially excessively.

is sensationalized

Indicates that something is presented in a way that is intended to shock or excite.

is magnified

Suggests making something appear larger than it actually is, either literally or figuratively.

is amplified

Focuses on increasing the intensity or significance of something.

is blown out of proportion

Highlights the distortion of something to make it seem more significant than it is.

receives undue attention

Emphasizes that something is getting more attention than it deserves.

is given prominence

Focuses on highlighting or featuring something.

is made a big deal of

Indicates that something is treated as more important than it actually is.

FAQs

What does "gets played up" mean?

The phrase "gets played up" means that something is exaggerated, emphasized, or given more importance than it actually has. It often implies that this exaggeration is intentional or strategic.

How can I use "gets played up" in a sentence?

You can use "gets played up" to describe how certain aspects of a situation are highlighted or amplified. For example: "The media often "exaggerates" the importance of celebrity gossip."

What are some alternatives to "gets played up"?

Alternatives to "gets played up" include "is exaggerated", "is overemphasized", or "is hyped up". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gets played up" formal or informal?

"Gets played up" tends to be somewhat informal. In more formal writing, consider using phrases like "is emphasized" or "is given prominence".