play as

play as

1. To perform a role as a fictional character in a particular kind of way. A noun or pronoun is used between "play" and "as." He chose to play Macbeth as sniveling and wormy to underscore just how pathetic and vindictive his motivations were. For some reason she decided to play the character completely straight, even though she's obviously meant to be an exaggerated, hyperbolic parody.

2. To handle, interpret, or regard something in a particular kind of way. A noun or pronoun is used between "play" and "as." I'm willing to play this whole thing as a big misunderstanding. It's your first week on the job, so I'm sure the boss will play it as a simple mistake and move on.

See also: play

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

play something as something

to deal with something as if it were something else. I will play this matter as a simple case of mistaken identity. We will play this lapse as an instance of forgetfulness and not make too much of it.

See also: play

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.