play on
verb- To exploit (a potential weakness or vulnerability) by exacerbating. · to play on someone's fears
- To exploit (a double meaning, similarity in sound, etc.) for humorous or creative effect. · This joke plays on the fact that 'thirsty' sounds similar to 'Thursday'.
- To impinge upon in a recurring or nagging way. · to play on one's mind, or conscience
- To frequently allude to or return to as a theme. · The pamphlet plays on the idea that all social conflict is class-based.
- to hit the ball into his own wicket, thus being out bowled
- To let the game continue after a foul has been committed, because the situation is advantageous to the team who would be awarded a foul.
- To cause (an opposing player) to be onside rather than offside due to one's position on the field of play. · The ref said that Smith was offside, but I think that Jones played him on.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, on. · I knew I was losing, but I played on anyways.
From the library
Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs.
Learn play on in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.