we were played

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were played" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone has been deceived or manipulated by others, often in a context of betrayal or trickery. Example: "After realizing the truth about the situation, I felt foolish because we were played by those we trusted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He went on, sounding a little like a jilted lover, "We were played for a fool".

The New Yorker

I'd love for that to be the reason why we were played out by I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke but you suspect it's less our man finding advertising nirvana (he couldn't care less now) than Weiner coyly pointing out that even as Don found peace, the ideas of love and understanding – the hippy dream by which he did so – would soon be co-opted by the biggest of big businesses.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We can't admit that we were played for fools, and we're willing to destroy our nation rather than face the fact that we were dead wrong, that our president is a pathological liar as well as a fool, and that we allowed ourselves to be duped by his self-deceptions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We were playing Maquoit High School".

The New York Times - Books

"We were playing better.

The New York Times - Sports

We were playing panicky.

The New York Times

We were playing well".

The New York Times - Sports

We were playing with it.

The New Yorker

"We were playing so well.

The New York Times - Sports

We were playing half schedules".

The New Yorker

We were playing the Packers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were played" to express a sense of betrayal or manipulation by someone you trusted or expected better from. It often implies a deliberate act of deception.

Common error

Avoid using "we were played" when you simply mean you made a mistake or misjudged a situation without external manipulation. In such cases, phrases like "we were mistaken" or "we miscalculated" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were played" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject ('we') was the recipient of an action – in this case, being manipulated or deceived. It conveys a sense of victimhood or being taken advantage of. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were played" is a passive construction used to express a feeling of deception or manipulation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, although relatively rare, with usage predominantly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the situation truly involves manipulation rather than a simple mistake. Alternatives like "we were deceived" or "we were manipulated" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances. When we realize we are in this unfortunate circumstance, we may say that "we were tricked", or even "we were fooled".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were deceived

Focuses on the act of being misled, rather than the feeling of being manipulated.

we were tricked

Emphasizes the element of cunning and deceit involved in the manipulation.

we were manipulated

Highlights the control exerted over the subject, rather than just the deception.

we were fooled

Suggests a lack of awareness or intelligence on the part of the subject.

we were outsmarted

Implies that someone was more clever and gained an advantage through intelligence.

we were duped

Similar to fooled, but with a slightly stronger connotation of being swindled.

we were taken advantage of

Highlights the exploitation aspect of the situation.

we were led astray

Focuses on being misguided or diverted from the correct path.

we were conned

Implies a deliberate and skillful deception, often for financial gain.

we were hoodwinked

Suggests a subtle and deceptive trick, often to conceal the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "we were played" in a sentence?

Use "we were played" to express that a group was manipulated or deceived, often implying a sense of betrayal. For example, "After the negotiations, we realized "we were played" by the opposing side."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were played"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we were deceived", "we were manipulated", or "we were taken advantage of" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of professionalism.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were played"?

Yes, "we were played" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that "we" were the recipients of the action (being played or manipulated) by someone else.

What's the difference between "we were played" and "we were mistaken"?

"We were played" implies intentional deception or manipulation by others, whereas "we were mistaken" suggests an error in judgment or understanding on our own part, without external influence.