play at

play at
PRETEND TO BE, pass oneself off as, masquerade as, profess to be, pose as, impersonate; fake, feign, simulate, affect; N. Amer. informal make like.
→ play

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play at [phrasal verb]
play at (something)
1 : to do (something) in a way that is not serious

They were only playing at trying to fix the problem.

2 chiefly Brit : to play by pretending to be (someone or something)

(Brit) She liked to play at doctors and nurses as a child.

— often used in the phrase play at being (something)

boys playing at being soldiers

— used to say in an annoyed way that you do not know the reason for someone's behavior

What is he playing at?

I have no idea what he was playing at.

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Main Entry: ↑play

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • play — ► VERB 1) engage in games or other activities for enjoyment rather than for a serious or practical purpose. 2) take part in (a sport or contest). 3) compete against. 4) take a specified position in a sports team. 5) represent (a character) in a… …   English terms dictionary

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  • Play — Play, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Played}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Playing}.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Play — Play, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump. [1913 Webster] First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul. Herbert. [1913 Webster] 2. To perform music upon; as, to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • play³ — Beschreibung Multiplattform Spielemagazin Verlag …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • PLAY.FM — is an web radio and online audio database for DJ and club culture. DJ sets, radio shows and live recordings are collected and can be listend to on demand. The PLAY.FM studio and the office are located in the Museumsquartier in the 7th district of …   Wikipedia

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