Phrasal Verbs Practice – 134

play somebody off against somebody
to encourage one person or group to compete or argue with another, in order to get some advantage for yourself
.The house seller may try to play one buyer off against another, to raise the price

play something out
: if an event or situation is played out or plays itself out, it happens
.It will be interesting to see how the election plays itself out
if people play out their dreams, feelings etc, they express them by pretending that a particular situation is really happening
.The weekend gives you a chance to play out your fantasies

play something down
: to try to make something seem less important or less likely than it really is
.Management has been playing down the possibility of job losses

play down the importance/seriousness/significance of something
.The White House spokeswoman sought to play down the significance of the event

play at something
spoken used when you do not understand what someone is doing or why they are doing it, and you are surprised or annoyed
?What do you think you’re playing at
if you play at doing something, you do not do it properly or seriously

play at doing something
.He’s still playing at being an artist
if children play at doctors, soldiers etc, they pretend to be doctors, soldiers etc

play at being something
.a 14-year-old playing at being a grown woman

.Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrasal verbs

.N1. He’s still …………… being an artist
.N2. Management has been …………… the possibility of job losses
.N3. The weekend gives you a chance to …………… your fantasies
. …………… N4. It will be interesting to see how the election …………… itself
N5. The house seller may try to …………… one buyer …………… against another, to raise the price

:Answers

playing at / playing down / play out / plays – Out / play – off