politics

play politics 

1. Lit. to negotiate politically. Everybody at city hall is playing politics as usual. If you're elected as a member of a political party, you'll have to play politics.

2. to allow politics to dominate in matters where principle should prevail. Look, I came here to discuss the legal issues of this trial, not play politics. They're not making reasonable decisions. They're playing politics.

See also: play

Politics makes strange bedfellows.

Prov. People who would normally dislike and avoid one another will work together if they think it is politically useful to do so. Jill: I never would have thought that genteel, aristocratic candidate would pick such a rabble-rousing, rough-mannered running mate. Jane: Politics makes strange bedfellows.

See also: bedfellow, make, strange

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play politics (with something)

to make something into a political issue She accused her opponent of playing politics with affirmative action in an attempt to divide the American people. Either we can play politics or we can take these studies seriously and make the changes we need to make.

See also: play