play off

Thân thiện

The two siblings play off each other's ideas during their project.

Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To set two or more people or things into opposition or rivalry, often for one's own advantage or to create a specific outcome. It implies manipulating a situation by pitting parties against each other.

Usage

This phrasal verb is typically used with the structure "play [someone/something] off against [someone/something else]". It describes a deliberate, often strategic, action.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The phrasal verb can be used in passive constructions.
  • The two teams were played off against each other in a final qualifying match.
• It can describe creating rivalry not just between people, but also between abstract entities like ideas or institutions.
  • The politician played public fear off against the need for economic growth.

Variants and Related Words

• Playoff (noun): A series of games or matches to determine a championship winner.
  • The teams advanced to the championship playoff.

Synonyms

• Pit against
• Set against
• Manipulate (in a context of creating rivalry)

Notes on Different Meanings

As a phrasal verb, "play off" primarily carries the manipulative meaning defined above. It should not be confused with the noun "playoff," which refers to a sports tournament.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Play along: To cooperate or pretend to agree, often deceptively.
  • He decided to play along with their scheme for the time being.
• Play down: To minimize the importance of something.
  • The official tried to play down the significance of the error.

Học thuật

Verb

1. set into opposition or rivalry
   • let them match their best athletes against ours
   • pit a chess player against the Russian champion
   • He plays his two children off against each other

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pit
• oppose
• match