What is (someone) playing at?

What is (someone) playing at?

What is someone's agenda or ulterior motive? Why is someone doing this? I can't figure out why Janet is suddenly volunteering for a job she said she would never do. What's she playing at? What are you playing at trying to go on a date with my sister?

See also: play, what

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

what’s somebody ˈplaying at?

used to ask in an angry way about what somebody is doing: What do you think you’re playing at?

See also: play, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017