play
verb
uk/pleɪ/ ushave money/time, etc. to play with
to have money, time, etc. available to use:
Swelling tax receipts have given the government more money to play with over the last two years.
play by the rules
to obey the rules of a particular system:
Workers should not be relegated to poverty if they work hard and play by the rules.
play by your own rules
to do things in the way that you want, rather than obeying the rules of a particular system:
Large multinational corporations often play by their own rules.
play catch up
to try to be as successful as other people, companies, etc.:
The firm has adapted quickly to changes in the global market, leaving its rivals to play catch up.
play for high stakes
to take big risks in order to achieve something that you really want:
The Prime Minister is playing for high stakes, at the risk of alienating public opinion.
play (it) safe
to decide not to take risks:
The federal government often plays it safe by funding research that is likely to succeed but may have only a slight impact.
The biggest companies usually play safe and hire top legal firms from London or New York.
play the (money/stock) market
FINANCE
to trade shares, bonds, etc., especially in order to make money quickly, rather than to invest over a longer period:
Spread betting companies offer an opportunity for private individuals to play the stock market.
play a key/major/important role/part (in sth) (also have a key/major/important role/part to play (in sth))
to have a lot of power or influence in a particular situation:
His financial expertise played a major role in London City airport's development.
IT had a key part to play in modernizing the organization.
play the system
to use a set of rules or laws in order to get an advantage for yourself, in a way that may not be fair:
If you know how to play the system, there are various legal loopholes to be exploited.
play to your strengths
to do things that you know you are good at:
In business, you sometimes have to follow your instincts and play to your strengths.
See also
Plug-and-Play noun
Phrasal verbs
play sth back
play sth down
play out
play sth up
play
noun
uk/pleɪ/ us [ C ] FINANCE
the act of trading shares, bonds, etc.:
Institutional investors remained on the sidelines, refusing to make any big plays until a definite announcement is made.
be at play
to have an influence in a situation:
Many issues are at play here, including the impact on the environment.
be in play
FINANCE
if a company or its shares are in play, they may be bought by other companies or shareholders:
In a corporate-driven deal environment, even "untouchable" bank stocks could be in play.
bring/call sth into play
to start to use something for a particular purpose:
Special computer software programs were brought into play during the vote recount.
come into play
to begin to have an influence on something:
New federal pension laws have come into play that could affect the retirement security of many of our employees.
make a play for sth
to try to get control of something:
The government has been accused of making a play for online betting tax revenues.
See also
role play