Чтение онлайн

[play ostrich]{v. phr.} To refuse to face painful facts or unpleasant truths. •/She plays ostrich when it comes to her husband’s drinking problem./

[play politics]{v. phr.} To make secret agreements for your own gain; handle different groups for your own advantage. •/In order to get elected, he had to play politics with both the unions and the bosses./ •/Mary always gets what she wants by playing office politics./

[play possum]{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To pretend to be asleep. •/Johnny seemed to be fully asleep, but his mother knew that he was playing possum./ 2. To stay quiet for self-protection; try to escape attention by inactivity. •/The rabbit played possum under the bushes, hoping the hunter would not see him./ •/Bob played possum when the teacher looked around./

[play safe] or [play it safe]{v. phr.}, {informal} To be very careful; accept small gains or none to avoid loss; avoid danger for the sake of safety. •/He got tired as the game went on, and began to play safe./ •/Tom didn’t know what the other driver would do, so he played it safe and stopped his own car./

[play second fiddle]{v. phr.}, {informal} To act a smaller part; follow another’s lead; be less noticed. •/His wife had the stronger mind and he played second fiddle to her./ •/During the tournament, lessons played second fiddle to basketball./

[play the devil with] or [play hob with]{v. phr.}, {informal} To cause confusion in; upset. •/Uncle Bob’s unexpected visit played the devil with our own plans to travel./ •/Mother’s illness played hob with our party./

[play the field]{v. phr.}, {informal} To date many different people; not always have dates with the same person. •/Al had a steady girlfriend, but John was playing the field./ •/Jim was crazy about Mary, but she was still playing the field./ Contrast: GO STEADY.

[play the game]{v. phr.}, {informal} To obey the rules; do right; act fairly. •/"That’s not playing the game," we told him when he wanted to desert his wife./ •/"Oh, let’s play the game," he said, when his partner suggested a way to keep from paying some of their debts./ •/Your parents want you to play the game in life./

[play the market]{v. phr.} To try to make money on the stock market by buying and selling stocks, •/John lost all his savings playing the market./ •/Sometimes Mr. Smith makes a lot of money when he plays the market, and sometimes he loses./

[play to the gallery]{v. phr.} To try to get the approval of the audience. •/Whenever John recites in class he seems to be playing to the gallery./ •/The lawyer for the defense was more interested in playing to the gallery than in winning the case./ Compare: SHOW OFF.

[play tricks on]{v. phr.} To make another the victim of some trick or joke. •/Al got angry when his classmates played a trick on him by hiding his clothes while he was swimming./

[play up]{v.} To call attention to; talk more about; emphasize. •/The coach played up the possibilities, and kept our minds off our weaknesses./ •/The director played up the woman’s glamor to conceal her lack of acting ability./

[play upon] See: PLAY ON.

[play up to]{v. phr.}. {slang} 1. To try to gain the favor of, especially for selfish reasons; act to win the approval of; try to please. •/He played up to the boss./ 2. To use (something) to gain an end; to attend to (a weakness). •/He played up to the old lady’s vanity to get her support./

[play with fire]{v. phr.} To put oneself in danger; to take risks. •/Leaving your door unlocked in New York City is playing with fire./ •/The doctor told Mr. Smith that he must watch his diet if he doesn’t want to play with fire./ Compare: SKATE ON THIN ICE.

[plough] or [plow through]{v. phr.} Pass through laboriously. •/Saw had to plough through hundreds of pages of American history to get ready for his test./

[plow] See: PUT ONE’S HAND TO THE PLOW.

[plow into]{v.} 1. To attack vigorously. •/He plowed into his work and finished it in a few hours./ 2. To crash into with force. •/A truck plowed into my car and smashed the fender./

[pluck up]{v.} 1. To have (courage) by your own effort; make yourself have (courage). •/In spite of failure, he plucked up heart to continue./ •/He plucked up courage when he saw a glimmer of hope./ 2. To become happier; feel better; cheer up. •/He plucked up when his wife recovered./

[pluck up one’s courage] See: SCREW UP ONE’S COURAGE.

[plug away] See: PEG AWAY.

[plug in]{v. phr.} To connect (an electrical appliance) to a power wire by putting its plug into a receptacle or hole. •/The integrated circuit has multiplied the number of small radios that need not be plugged in./

[plug into]{v.} To connect (an electrical appliance) to a power wire by inserting its plug into a receptacle or hole. •/He thought he had left the lamp plugged into the wall, and so was puzzled when it wouldn’t light that night./

[plume oneself]{v. phr.}, {literary} To be proud of yourself; boast. •/He plumed himself on having the belle of the ball as his date./ •/He plumed himself on his successful planning in the election./ •/She plumed herself on the grace with which she sat on a horse./ Compare: PRIDE ONESELF.

[plunk down]{v.}, {informal} 1. To drop down; fall. •/After walking a mile we plunked down on a bench to rest./ 2. To drop something noisily or firmly. •/He plunked the heavy suitcase down at the station./ 3. To pay out, primarily an excessive amount •/I had to plunk down $55 for a concert ticket./