Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Ice hockey) A situation where one team has more players on the ice than the opposing team due to penalties assessed against the opponent. This creates a temporary numerical advantage.
   • (Sports, general) A strategic maneuver in various team sports where players concentrate their effort or formation in a specific area of the field or court to overwhelm the opposition.
   • (Figurative) An aggressive action or maneuver, often in politics, business, or personal relationships, intended to force compliance or gain dominance by concentrating or manipulating power, influence, or resources.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Ice hockey context):

  • The home team scored two goals during a five-minute power play.
  • A successful penalty kill can deflate the opposing team's momentum during a power play.

• Noun (General sports strategy):

  • The coach called for a power play, directing all forwards to attack the weak side of the defense.
  • In rugby, a power play near the try line often involves using the strongest runners.

• Noun (Figurative, aggressive maneuver):

  • The CEO's sudden firing of key executives was seen as a corporate power play to consolidate control.
  • Refusing to sign the contract until the last minute was a clear power play in the negotiations.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on a power play": Describes a team in ice hockey that is currently benefiting from a numerical advantage due to an opponent's penalty.

  • Our team is on a power play for the next 90 seconds; we need to take a shot.

• "To execute/make a power play": To carry out a concentrated strategic effort in sports or an aggressive maneuver in other contexts.

  • The political party made a power play to secure the votes needed to pass the bill.

Variants and Related Words

• Power play goal (n): A goal scored by a team while they have a numerical advantage in ice hockey.
• Power play unit (n): The specific group of players a team sends onto the ice during a power play in hockey.

Synonyms

• Advantage (in sports contexts, specifically for the numerical edge).
• Maneuver or Strategic move (for the general sports and figurative senses).
• Power move or Strong-arm tactic (for the figurative, aggressive sense).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "It's a power play": A phrase used to label an action as an attempt to assert dominance or force a specific outcome.
  • He scheduled the meeting without consulting anyone? That's a typical power play.

Noun

1. (ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties
   • the team was unable to capitalize on the power play
2. a play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play
   • they used a power play to return the kickoff
3. an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
   • she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away