underplay

underplay
/un'deuhr play", un"deuhr play'/, v.t.
1. to act (a part) sketchily.
2. to act subtly and restrainedly.
3. to understate or de-emphasize; downplay: The ambassador underplayed his role in the peace negotiations.
v.i.
4. to leave out of one's acting all subtlety and enriching detail.
5. to achieve an effect in acting with a minimum of emphasis.
[1725-35; UNDER- + PLAY]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Underplay — Un der*play , v. i. 1. To play in a subordinate, or in an inferior manner; to underact a part. [1913 Webster] 2. (Card Playing) To play a low card when holding a high one, in the hope of a future advantage. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Underplay — Un der*play , n. (Card Playing) The act of underplaying. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • underplay — ► VERB 1) perform (a role or part) in a restrained way. 2) represent (something) as being less important than it really is …   English terms dictionary

  • underplay — [un΄dər plā′] vt., vi. 1. to act (a role or scene) in a manner intended to be subtle and restrained 2. UNDERACT 3. to play down the importance of (something) …   English World dictionary

  • underplay — [[t]ʌ̱ndə(r)ple͟ɪ[/t]] underplays, underplaying, underplayed VERB If you underplay something, you make it seem less important than it really is. [mainly BRIT] [V n] We often underplay the skills we have... [V n] The problem of alcoholism was, and …   English dictionary

  • underplay — UK [ˌʌndə(r)ˈpleɪ] / US [ˌʌndərˈpleɪ] verb [transitive] Word forms underplay : present tense I/you/we/they underplay he/she/it underplays present participle underplaying past tense underplayed past participle underplayed to make something seem… …   English dictionary

  • underplay — verb Underplay is used with these nouns as the object: ↑role …   Collocations dictionary

  • underplay — verb (T) 1 to make something seem less important than it really is 2 underplay your hand to discuss something with someone without telling them everything about your plans, abilities etc …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • underplay — un•der•play [[t]ˌʌn dərˈpleɪ, ˈʌn dərˌpleɪ[/t]] v. t. 1) sbz to play (a part or scene) subtly and with restraint 2) sbz to play (a part) sketchily 3) cvb to understate or de emphasize; downplay 4) sbz to underplay a part or scene • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

  • underplay — Date: 1833 intransitive verb to play a role with subdued force transitive verb 1. to act or present (as a role or a scene) with restraint ; play down 2. to play a card lower than (a held high card) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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