play along

play along

1. To play the same song as someone else on one's own instrument. I sang while my uncle played along on the banjo.

2. To cooperate with someone or pretend to do so; to support or agree with something that someone is doing or saying, especially as part of a joke, lie, or scam. Hey, I'm going to play a prank on Jimbo when he comes in. Just play along! I know that school can be boring sometimes, but you just need to play along for a while until college, where you can study things that really interest you.

See also: play

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

play along

 (with someone or something)

1. Lit. to play a musical instrument with someone or a group. The trombonist sat down and began to play along with the others. Do you mind if I play along?

2. Fig. to pretend to cooperate with someone or something in a joke, scam, etc. I decided that I would play along with Larry for a while and see what would happen. I don't think I want to play along.

See also: play

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

play along

Cooperate or pretend to cooperate, as in They decided to play along with the robbers, at least for a while. [Colloquial; 1920s]

See also: play

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

play along

v.

1. To cooperate or pretend to cooperate with someone: We decided to play along with their silly plans for a while. If you don't play along, we'll never get the job done.

2. To accompany someone or something by playing a musical instrument: I listen to the radio and play along with the songs on my guitar.

See also: play

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.