play on nerves

USAGE SUMMARY

"play on nerves" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who tries to manipulate someone's emotions in a tricky or insidious way. For example, "He tried to play on my nerves by constantly hinting that I was wrong about the project, but I refused to fall for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

By their silence, the terrorists play on our nerves.

The Guardian

"It was a way to play on his nerves".

The New York Times

Beckett wanted this piece to play on the nerves of the audience, not the intellect.

The Guardian

Mancini decided to leave Sergio Aguero and James Milner on the bench and started with three at the back - a system that allowed Liverpool to play on the nerves of centre-back Stefan Savic.

BBC

Riviere was also just off target with an acrobatic bicycle kick before West Ham settled down and started to play on the nerves of everyone inside the famous old stadium.

BBC

As the teams prepared to leave their dressing rooms, Manchester City deliberately delayed their exit by a short period to play on any nerves the Leicester City players may have had.

Wikipedia

We even got the BBC to run its first-ever advertisements, a cheeky play on that nerve-wracking moment when a young man goes to buy condoms and is mortified at having to ask for them from the girl behind the counter.

The Guardian - Money

They are just playing on our nerves.

The New Yorker

The movie played on audience nerves like a violin.

The Guardian - Film

Bilic's side waited, playing on the nerves.

The Guardian - Sport

But the sheer complexity of the situation is also playing on investors' nerves and preventing what Europe desperately needs: some confidence that the policymakers are finally on top of things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "play on nerves" when you want to describe a deliberate attempt to make someone anxious or uneasy, often to gain an advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "play on nerves" to describe situations where someone is simply nervous or anxious without an external influence actively trying to unsettle them. The phrase implies intentional manipulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play on nerves" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in transitive constructions. It describes an action performed on someone's emotional state, aiming to induce anxiety or unease. Although Ludwig doesn't have examples to confirm this point, the definition confirms its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play on nerves" describes an intentional act of trying to make someone anxious or uneasy, typically to achieve a certain goal. Although Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable, there is a lack of real-world examples, which indicates its rarity in usage. The intended purpose is to identify a manipulation attempt with a strategic goal to unbalance the target emotionally. When you use the phrase, make sure there is an active agent seeking to unsettle someone, and not merely a state of nervousness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Manipulate emotions

A broader term encompassing any kind of emotional manipulation.

Capitalize on anxieties

Highlights using feelings of anxiety to one's advantage.

Take advantage of insecurities

Highlights exploiting feelings of insecurity, a more specific emotional target.

Prey on fears

Emphasizes exploiting feelings of fear, a particular type of emotional response.

Stoke anxieties

Implies actively creating or worsening anxieties.

Exploit vulnerabilities

Focuses on taking advantage of weaknesses, not necessarily emotional ones.

Push someone's buttons

A more informal way of saying causing someone to become annoyed or angry.

Get under someone's skin

An informal expression for irritating or annoying someone.

Intimidate

Focuses on causing fear or apprehension.

Bully

Implies aggressive intimidation and coercion.

FAQs

How can I use "play on nerves" in a sentence?

You can use "play on nerves" to describe someone who tries to make another person anxious to gain advantage. For example, "The negotiator tried to "play on nerves" to force a quick agreement."

What does it mean to "play on nerves"?

To "play on nerves" means to exploit someone's anxiety or make them uneasy, often for personal gain or advantage. It implies a calculated attempt to unsettle someone.

Which phrase is more suitable: "play on nerves" or "get on someone's nerves"?

The phrase "play on nerves" suggests intentional manipulation, while "get on someone's nerves" simply means to irritate or annoy someone, without necessarily implying a deliberate strategy.

What are some similar phrases to "play on nerves"?

Similar phrases include "exploit vulnerabilities", "manipulate emotions", or "prey on fears". Each of these focuses on different methods of exploiting someone's emotional state.