play the part
idiom
: to act the part of (a particular character) in a film, play, etc.
He often plays the part of the villain.
—often used figurativelyI've played the part of (the) devoted wife and mother, and now I want to do something more with my life.
He was playing the part of (the) gracious host.
Examples of play the part in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For him, the New York ready-to-wear collections play the part of prewar couture mid-seasons.
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Wwd Staff, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
More recently, Eve Ridley came on to play the part of Ruthye Mary Knolle.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
Diaz came out of acting retirement to play the part.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
To play the character, Goldblum watched several different actors play the part on stage through online clips, including celebrated performers like Ben Vereen.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play the part 
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Wwd Staff, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
More recently, Eve Ridley came on to play the part of Ruthye Mary Knolle.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
Diaz came out of acting retirement to play the part.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
To play the character, Goldblum watched several different actors play the part on stage through online clips, including celebrated performers like Ben Vereen.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play the part
Dictionary Entries Near play the part
Cite this Entry
“Play the part.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20the%20part. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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