play+upon
11To play upon — Play Play, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Played}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Playing}.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G.… …
12A play upon words — Play Play, n. 1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. [1913 Webster] 2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. [1913 Webster] John naturally loved rough play. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster] 3. The act or… …
13play upon — (smth) cause an effect on, influence They played on his feelings of loneliness to get him to come and buy them dinner every night …
14play upon words — Punning, quibbling …
15Play — Play, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Played}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Playing}.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G.… …
16play on — play upon [verb] take advantage of, abuse, capitalize on, exploit, impose on, trade on * * * exploit (a weak or vulnerable point in someone) he played on his opponent s nerves * * * play on (also play upon) [phrasal verb] play on/upon (something) …
17play on — or[play upon] {v.} 1. To cause an effect on; influence. * /A heavy diet of television drama played on his feelings./ 2. To work upon for a planned effect; excite to a desired action by cunning plans; manage. * /The makeup salesman played on the… …
18play on — or[play upon] {v.} 1. To cause an effect on; influence. * /A heavy diet of television drama played on his feelings./ 2. To work upon for a planned effect; excite to a desired action by cunning plans; manage. * /The makeup salesman played on the… …
19Play — Play, n. 1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. [1913 Webster] 2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. [1913 Webster] John naturally loved rough play. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster] 3. The act or practice of… …
20Play actor — Play Play, n. 1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols. [1913 Webster] 2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game. [1913 Webster] John naturally loved rough play. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster] 3. The act or… …
