PLAYING UP AND PLAYING DOWN

To “play up” means to behave badly (misbehave).

 e.g. “The kids are playing up downstairs.” (Our House, Madness)

 We also say that something is playing up if it is not working properly.

 e.g. “I thought it was my phone playing up, because I can receive calls but can’t make them.”


 To “play up” something also means to make it appear important by emphasising it.

 e.g. “London-born actor Tom Holland plays up the awkwardness of a hormone-addled Peter Parker, who is torn between saving the world and following his heart.”



 To “play something down” means to make it seem less important than it is.

 e.g. “Manchester United have played down their reported interest in Southampton’s 25-year-old Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina, who has been linked with Arsenal.”


Photo credit: Stacey MacNaught (Creative Commons)