play up

Verb

Britain idiomatic transitive intransitive slang

(Britain, idiomatic) To misbehave. / (transitive) To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight. / (intransitive) To play more vigorously.

Japanese Meaning

〔英国の慣用表現〕いたずらをする、悪ふざけする；振る舞いが乱れる / （他動詞）～を大げさにする、誇張して目立たせる、強調して見せる / （自動詞）より活発に演奏する、エネルギッシュに演奏する

What is this buttons?

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

遠足で何人かの子どもたちがふざけ始め、先生たちが秩序を保つのが難しくなった。

Details

Sense（1）

(Britain, idiomatic) To misbehave.

Children who do not receive enough attention may begin to play up.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（2）

(transitive) To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

Details

Sense（3）

(intransitive) To play more vigorously.

And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,

Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,

But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote —

'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（4）

(transitive, slang) To be unfaithful to a lover; to cheat; used with on.

[…] the young fulla Jack'd brought along looked like he might suit in an emergency, and what the fuck, Jack'd already said she weren't interested. Serve Rog right if she played up on him.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

plays up

（ present singular third-person ）

playing up

（ participle present ）

played up

（ participle past ）

played up

（ past ）

Details

play up

Dictionary quizzes to help you remember the meaning

Login / Sign up

Download the app!

play up

Dictionary quizzes to help you remember the meaning

Login / Sign up

Login

──── or ────

Sign up

──── or ────

Download the app!