play up

play someone or something up

to make someone or something seem to be more important. The director tried to play Ann up, but she was not really a star. Try to play up the good qualities of our product.

See also: play, up

play something up

to emphasize something; to be a booster of something. The press played the scandal up so much that everyone became bored with it. They really played up the scandal.

See also: play, up

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play up something also play something up

to make something more easily noticed The report plays up the benefits of the plan but doesn't say much about the costs. Instead of being defeated by her cancer treatment, she played it up, even showing off her bald head at work.

Usage notes: often something is played up in order to gain an advantage

See also: play, up