* * *
he tried to play down the seriousness of his illness
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Useful english dictionary. 2012.
play something down — pretend that something is less important than it in fact is. → play … English new terms dictionary
play something down — Syn: make light of, make little of, gloss over, downplay, understate, soft pedal, diminish, trivialize … Synonyms and antonyms dictionary
play sth down — UK US play sth down Phrasal Verb with play({{}}/pleɪ/ verb ► to say that something is not important, especially because you do not want it to be known publicly: »Insiders are playing the matter down, stressing the investigation is industry wide… … Financial and business terms
play something up — EMPHASIZE, accentuate, call attention to, point up, underline, highlight, spotlight, foreground, feature, stress, accent. → play * * * emphasize the extent or importance of something the mystery surrounding his death was played up by the media *… … Useful english dictionary
water something down — 1 staff had watered down the drinks: DILUTE, water, thin (out), weaken; adulterate, doctor, mix; informal cut. 2 the proposals were watered down … Useful english dictionary
play down — verb understate the importance or quality of he played down his royal ancestry • Syn: ↑background, ↑downplay • Ant: ↑play up, ↑foreground (for: ↑background) … Useful english dictionary
play — verb 1》 engage in games or other activities for enjoyment rather than for a serious or practical purpose. ↘amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence. ↘(play with) treat inconsiderately for one s own amusement: she likes to play… … English new terms dictionary
play — 1. verb 1) the children played with toys Syn: amuse oneself, entertain oneself, enjoy oneself, have fun, relax, occupy oneself, frolic, romp; informal mess about/around 2) I used to play football Syn: take part in … Synonyms and antonyms dictionary
Something Wicked This Way Comes (novel) — Something Wicked This Way Comes … Wikipedia
play down something — play down (something) to try to make something seem less serious than it really is. He played down the seriousness of his condition because he didn t want anyone to worry. It s a sensitive issue, and they want to play it down until after the… … New idioms dictionary
