Play up sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use in Sentences

What Does “Play up sth” Mean?

“Play up sth” is a phrasal verb that means to emphasize or exaggerate something, or for something to cause problems or behave badly.

Introduction

The phrase “play up sth” has two main meanings depending on the context. It can mean to highlight or exaggerate a particular fact or feature to make it seem more important than it really is. Alternatively, it can describe a situation where something, such as a body part or machine, is causing trouble or not working properly. Understanding the play up sth meaning can help learners use it correctly in different situations. This phrasal verb is common in everyday English and appears in both spoken and written forms. By mastering how to use “play up sth,” you can express emphasis or problems clearly and naturally.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: play up something (play up sth)
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to exaggerate or emphasize; to cause trouble or malfunction

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Play up” is a separable phrasal verb when used with an object. You can place the object between “play” and “up” or after the entire phrase.

• play up something
• play something up

Example: They played up the problem / They played the problem up.

Note: When “play up” means to cause trouble (intransitive), it does not take an object.

How to Use “Play up sth”?

Use “play up sth” when you want to emphasize or exaggerate a particular detail. It is often used in media, arguments, or storytelling to make something seem more important or dramatic. For example, a news report might play up a minor issue to attract attention.

Alternatively, use it when describing something that is acting up or causing problems, like a painful knee or a faulty computer.

Examples

Here are some examples showing how to use “play up sth” in a sentence:

• The media played up the scandal to get more viewers.
• She tends to play up her achievements during interviews.
• My back has been playing up since I started that new exercise.
• The old car’s engine played up again on the way home.
• Don’t play up your illness just to get sympathy.

Common Mistakes

People often confuse the position of the object in the phrasal verb or use it incorrectly when talking about problems.

• Incorrect: He played up about the problem. (wrong meaning)
• Correct: He played up the problem. (emphasized the problem)
• Incorrect: My leg played up it yesterday. (wrong word order)
• Correct: My leg played up yesterday.

Differences / Synonyms

“Play up sth” can be similar to “exaggerate” when emphasizing something, but “exaggerate” is more formal. When referring to causing trouble, it is close to “act up.”

• Play up sth: Emphasize or cause trouble
• Exaggerate: Make something seem bigger or more important
• Act up: (intransitive) To behave badly or cause problems

Example: The report played up the risks, but it didn’t exaggerate them. My computer acts up when it’s too hot, which is similar to saying it plays up.

Common Collocations

Certain words frequently go with “play up” to express either emphasis or malfunction:

• play up the problem – to emphasize an issue
• play up the importance – to exaggerate significance
• play up an injury – to make an injury seem worse
• play up a symptom – to exaggerate a symptom
• play up (without object) – when a part of the body or machine causes trouble

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of play up sth:

• Play On Sth
• Play Sth Down
• Play With Sth
• Play Sth Back
• Play Sb Up

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “play up sth”:

Anna: My knee has been playing up again after the hike.

Ben: You should rest it. Don’t play it up too much or you might get injured.

Anna: I know, but I think I’m just exaggerating a little.

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct use of “play up”:

• The reporter __________ the story to attract more readers.
• My computer __________ when it gets too hot.
• She tends to __________ her problems to get attention.
• The old car __________ again on the highway.

Answers:

• played up
• plays up
• play up
• played up

FAQs

• Q: Is “play up sth” formal or informal?
  A: It is mostly informal but common in everyday English.
• Q: Can I use “play up” without an object?
  A: Yes, when talking about something causing trouble or malfunctioning.
• Q: What is the opposite of “play up”?
  A: To downplay or ignore something.
• Q: Can “play up” mean to lie?
  A: No, it means to exaggerate or emphasize, not to lie.
• Q: Is “play up” separable?
  A: Yes, you can put the object between “play” and “up” or after them.