Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

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Definition play up in British English

play up phrasal verb

phrasal verb
1

if children play up or play someone up, they behave badly in a way that they think is funny

Example

I'm exhausted! The children have been really playing up this afternoon.

Synonyms and related words
misbehave play up presume act up grow into grow out of
2

to try to persuade people to believe that something is more important than it is

Example

The newspapers have really played up the government's poor election results.

Synonyms and related words
aggrandise aggrandize exaggerate
3

to cause difficulties or pain for someone

Example

The printer's playing up again.

Example

My back's been playing me up all day.

Synonyms and related words
suffer hurt ache
Definition play up in British English