play up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean to exaggerate or emphasize something, often in a positive way. Example: "The marketing team decided to play up the benefits of the new product in their advertising campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Warrior likes to play up its authenticity.

The New York Times

Who will play up front?

The Guardian - Sport

"Play up Pompey!" it concluded.

The Guardian - Sport

They play up to this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We can play up here in New York".

The New York Times - Sports

"Clinton can play up, down and sideways".

The New York Times

We didn't play up to our capabilities".

The New York Times - Sports

You do play up to that.

The Guardian - Music

Do you play up to it?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I screwed the play up," Crawford said.

The New York Times - Sports

Some people play up to the queers.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts where you intend to highlight something, consider using "emphasize" or "highlight" for more formal tone.

Common error

While "play up" is versatile, it can sound informal in academic or business contexts. Instead of always using "play up", opt for stronger, more precise verbs like "accentuate" or "showcase" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "play up" is that of a phrasal verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to either misbehave or to make something appear more important. Examples showcase its application in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "play up" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to misbehave or to emphasize something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in news and media, wikis, and formal business contexts. While acceptable in most settings, more precise alternatives like "emphasize" or "highlight" may be preferred in academic or formal writing to avoid informality. When choosing to use "play up", ensure the subject you're emphasizing is truly positive or beneficial, as overusing it with negative subjects can sound manipulative. Always consider the specific meaning and context to ensure the most appropriate usage of the phrase."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize

Focuses on giving particular importance or prominence to something.

highlight

Brings attention to something, making it stand out.

accentuate

Makes something more noticeable or prominent.

exaggerate

Represents something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is.

capitalize on

Takes advantage of something; uses it to one's advantage.

draw attention to

Focuses on causing something to be particularly noticed.

showcase

Displays or presents something in an attractive or favorable way.

foreground

Gives prominence or emphasis to something.

spotlight

Highlights or focuses attention on something.

magnify

Increases the apparent size or importance of something.

FAQs

What does "play up" mean?

The phrasal verb "play up" has two primary meanings: to misbehave or to emphasize something. For example, children may "play up" when they are tired, or a company might "play up" the benefits of a product.

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

You can use "play up" in various contexts. For example, "The children started to play up during the long car ride" or "The advertisement plays up the car's fuel efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "play up" when you want to emphasize something?

If you want to emphasize something, you can use alternatives like "highlight", "accentuate", or "emphasize" instead of "play up".

Is it appropriate to use "play up" in formal writing?

While "play up" is acceptable, in formal writing, it may be better to use more precise alternatives like "underscore", "showcase", or "emphasize" to maintain a professional tone.