play out

play something out 

1. to play something, such as a game, to the very end. I was bored with the game, but I felt I had to play it out. She played out the rest of the game.

2. to unwind, unfold, or unreel something. (See also pay something out.) Please play some more rope out. They played out many feet of cable.

See also: out, play

play out

[for a process] to run out; to finish. The whole incident is about to play out. Then it all will be forgotten. When the event plays out, everything will return to normal.

See also: out, play

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play out something also play itself out

to go through a process We're waiting to see how the debate about more education reform will play itself out in the weeks ahead.

See also: out, play