play to
phrasal verb
played to; playing to; plays to
1
: to behave or perform in a particular way for (someone or something) in order to get approval or attention
He didn't mean what he was saying. He was just playing to the crowd.
He loves publicity and plays to the cameras every chance he gets.
2
: to make use of (something)
a film that plays to stereotypes of housewives
In his latest album, he once again plays to his strengths as a classical musician.
Examples of play to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Who will win this game on Sunday, or will the two sides play to a draw?
—
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
In the team’s final timeout, coach Hubert Davis drew up a play to get RJ Davis, the team’s leading scorer and the reigning ACC Player of the Year, open for a potential score-tying 3-point attempt.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Success Outside China In markets beyond China, the film has played to the diaspora and also inspired curiosity from others who don’t typically seek out Chinese movies.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
All the while, the influencer is playing to the camera as the person recording her narrates what's happening at the scene.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play to
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Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
In the team’s final timeout, coach Hubert Davis drew up a play to get RJ Davis, the team’s leading scorer and the reigning ACC Player of the Year, open for a potential score-tying 3-point attempt.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Success Outside China In markets beyond China, the film has played to the diaspora and also inspired curiosity from others who don’t typically seek out Chinese movies.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
All the while, the influencer is playing to the camera as the person recording her narrates what's happening at the scene.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play to
Cite this Entry
“Play to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20to. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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