play politics

play politics

To act with personal political motivations in mind, rather than the principle or general benefits of an action. It's clear the mayor is just playing politics—saying whatever will win him votes at the moment.
See also: play, politics
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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

play politics

Act for personal or political gain rather than principle, as in I don't think this judge is fair-he's playing politics. [Mid-1800s]
See also: play, politics
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 politics

act for political or personal gain rather than from principle. derogatory
See also: play, politics
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in classic literature ?
It ought to play politics, but the politics ought to be the right kind."
View in context
You (Kamal) used my move to play politics; you took out a rally, gathered your party workers, called the media and started saying those same vile things that you had said about me before.
Mustafa Kamal loses 'Project Director Garbage' post in less than 24 hours
But to play politics at his memorial service with no consideration for his wife, mother and family was disrespectful to him.
We should deny our leaders any chance to politick at funerals
'I always believe that if the government look into that report because it was not written by me, so we should not play politics with the issue of national issues.
Create Special Agency To Tackle Banditry, Insurgency a Goodluck Jonathan
President Duterte does not "play politics" like other politicians and will not interfere with the speakership battle in the House of Representatives, Malacanang said Friday.
Duterte to keep off House speakership race - Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte would rather focus on governing the country rather than 'play politics' in the House Speakership race, Malcanang said Wednesday.
Palace: Duterte won't play politics in Speakership race
New Delhi (India) Mar 18 (ANI): It is sad that Congress is finding Manohar Parrikar's demise as an opportune moment to play politics in Goa, said BJP leader Ram Madhav here on Sunday.
Congress playing opportune politics in Goa after Parrikar's demise: Ram Madhav
However, Labour group leader Councillor Eddie Devine said it was never an option to"play politics"with a service they believe to be more crucial now than ever.
Leader has 'no regrets' over party's budget defeat
Asked about Trump's tweets, the French president said "I think he's playing politics, and I let him play politics".
Macron: Being America's Ally Does Not Mean Becoming A Vassal State
He said the Opposition attempted to play politics when it claimed that its 'ceramah' (talk) in Putrajaya recently had attracted a sea of civil servants.
BN can withstand onslaught of slander from Opposition, says Najib
I hope the Sindh government will take appropriate action on this issue and will not play politics.
Murad's argument
While speaking at a seminar opposition leader said today's wives also say to their husbands, ' don't play politics with us (Hum say siyasat mat karo)'.
Politics has become synonym with abuse in our country: Khursheed Shah
"If they try to play politics over it, we will give a befitting reply," Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said after a Delhi court issued summons to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
'Don't use summons to play olitics'
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "George Osborne has stooped so low that he's prepared to play politics with the aspirations of the lowest paid."
PS7 minimum wage move is 'not possible'
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?