|
|
Definition of Play down
1. Verb. Understate the importance or quality of. "He played down his royal ancestry"
Specialized synonyms: Wave Off, Soft-pedal
Generic synonyms: Accent, Accentuate, Emphasise, Emphasize, Punctuate, Stress
Derivative terms: Background
Antonyms: Foreground, Play Up
Definition of Play down
1. Verb. (idiomatic) To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Lexicographical Neighbors of Play Down
Literary usage of Play down
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Street Verse: 80 New Poems for Befuddled Investors by Michael Silverstein (2003)
"Down where great hopes are forever dangled Down where the dumb and the slow get
mangled That's where day traders play. Down where every new stock craze is ..."
2. The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire by James Paterson, Charles Gray (1847)
"... When I and my true love did often sport and play, Down among the beds of sweet
roses, Where I and my true love did often sport and play, Down among the ..."
3. The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire: Illustrated with Sketches, Historical by James Paterson, Charles Gray (1846)
"... When I and my true love did often sport and play, Down among the beds of sweet
roses, Where I and my true lo've did often sport and play, Down among the ..."
4. Preaching and Sermon Construction by Paul Bertie Bull (1922)
""The tendency to play down to boys, to catch them by false pretenses, ...
Our tendency to minimize and to misrepresent the Faith and to play down to lads ..."
5. Street Verse: 80 New Poems for Befuddled Investors by Michael Silverstein (2003)
"Down where great hopes are forever dangled Down where the dumb and the slow get
mangled That's where day traders play. Down where every new stock craze is ..."
6. The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire by James Paterson, Charles Gray (1847)
"... When I and my true love did often sport and play, Down among the beds of sweet
roses, Where I and my true love did often sport and play, Down among the ..."
7. The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire: Illustrated with Sketches, Historical by James Paterson, Charles Gray (1846)
"... When I and my true love did often sport and play, Down among the beds of sweet
roses, Where I and my true lo've did often sport and play, Down among the ..."
8. Preaching and Sermon Construction by Paul Bertie Bull (1922)
""The tendency to play down to boys, to catch them by false pretenses, ...
Our tendency to minimize and to misrepresent the Faith and to play down to lads ..."
Other Resources:
