play on
To exploit by exacerbatingTo exploit (a potential weakness or vulnerability) by exacerbating.
» We often play cards on Sunday.
Wir spielen sonntags oft Karten.
Мы часто играем в карты в воскресенье.
Мы часто играем в карты по воскресеньям.
Ми часто граємо в карти по неділях.
Meaning
8 sensesTo exploit (a potential weakness or vulnerability) by exacerbating.
to play on someone's fears
To exploit (a double meaning, similarity in sound, etc.) for humorous or creative effect.
This joke plays on the fact that 'thirsty' sounds similar to 'Thursday'.
To impinge upon in a recurring or nagging way.
to play on one's mind, or conscience
To frequently allude to or return to as a theme.
The pamphlet plays on the idea that all social conflict is class-based.
To hit the ball into his own wicket, thus being out bowled
(intransitive)To let the game continue after a foul has been committed, because the situation is advantageous to the team who would be awarded a foul.
(transitive)To cause (an opposing player) to be onside rather than offside due to one's position on the field of play.
The ref said that Smith was offside, but I think that Jones played him on.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, on.
I knew I was losing, but I played on anyways.
Examples
346 sentencesWe often play cards on Sunday.
Ми часто граємо в карти по неділях. — ChickenKiev
ruМы часто играем в карты в воскресенье. — Balamax
deWir spielen sonntags oft Karten. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
We always play tennis on Saturday morning.
В суботу вранці ми завжди граємо в теніс. — deniko
ruВ субботу утром мы всегда играем в теннис. — ae5s
deWir spielen samstagmorgens immer Tennis. — Mandalay
We played on the same soccer team.
Ми грали в одній футбольній команді. — deniko
ruМы играли в одной футбольной команде. — odexed
deWir spielten alle in derselben Fußballmannschaft. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Why don't we play tennis on Monday?
Чому б нам не зіграти в теніс у понеділок? — deniko
We play on Sunday.
Ми граємо у неділю. — deniko
ruМы играем в воскресенье. — sascha
deWir spielen sonntags. — sascha
Forms
plays on, playing on, played on, played on| Base form | play on · to play on |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | plays on |
| Present participle | playing on |
| Past simple | played on |
| Past participle | played on |
irregular
Phrasal verbs
15 phrasal verbs- play upвитягти, витягатиUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, up.
- play offвідповідати, зійтисяTo portray (something) (as unimportant); to dismiss or make light of (a factor in a situation, or one's embarrassment about it); to pretend not to be embarrassed, upset, impressed, or otherwise affected by (it).
- play outнабридати, втомлюватисяTo play (a game etc.) to its conclusion.
- play downзрубати, зрубуватиTo make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.
- play alongслідувати, дотримуватисяTo take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.
- play onTo exploit (a potential weakness or vulnerability) by exacerbating.
- play inUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, in.
- play backTo replay a recording.
More 7
- play awayTo be sexually unfaithful out of one's home
- play intoTo support (an idea or plan).
- play aroundTo behave in a silly, childish, or irresponsible way.
- play throughTo overtake a slower group of players ahead of one's own group, rather than waiting for them to finish the hole before proceeding.
- play aboutSynonym of play around.
- play withUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: play with.
- play toUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, to.
Lessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb