power play
/'pauə'plei/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- (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
- 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
- an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
- she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away