Top 30 Collocations with Play: to Boost Your English Fluency

Collocations are pairs or groups of words that are often used together in English. Understanding these combinations can significantly enhance your fluency and comprehension. In this blog post, we will explore 30 common collocations with the word “play.” These collocations span a range of contexts, from sports to music to everyday situations, and will help you sound more natural and proficient in English.

The term “play” itself is versatile and can be used in numerous ways. It can refer to engaging in an activity for enjoyment, performing a role in a theatrical production, operating a musical instrument, and much more. By learning these collocations, you can expand your vocabulary and improve your ability to communicate more effectively.

Top 30 Collocations with Play 🎭 to Boost Your English Fluency

Whether you’re an English learner aiming to boost your language skills, a teacher looking for resources to aid students, or simply someone who loves exploring the intricacies of language, this guide will provide valuable insights.

Each collocation will include a definition, phonetic transcription, and examples to illustrate how it’s used in context. Let’s dive in and discover the richness of the English language through these common collocations with “play.”

#1. Play a role 🎭

• Definition: To have a specific function or part in a situation or activity.

• Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ə roʊl/

• Examples:

1. The actor plays a crucial role in the success of the film.
2. She plays a vital role in the team’s performance.

#2. Play the piano 🎹

Definition: To perform music using the piano.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ðə piˈænəʊ/

Examples:

1. He plays the piano beautifully during family gatherings.
2. She learned to play the piano at a young age.

#3. Play games 🎮

Definition: To engage in recreational activities or competitions.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɡeɪmz/

Examples:

1. Children often play games in the park after school.
2. They love to play games on their gaming console.

#4. Play it safe ⚠️

Definition: To avoid taking risks.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɪt seɪf/

Examples:

1. It’s better to play it safe when trying new recipes.
2. She decided to play it safe by staying home during the storm.

#5. Play hard to get 😏

Definition: To act uninterested in order to make someone pursue you.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ hɑrd tu ɡɛt/

Examples:

1. He played hard to get, making her more interested in him.
2. She was playing hard to get, which made the game more intriguing.

#6. Play with fire 🔥

Definition: To engage in risky or dangerous behavior.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ wɪð faɪər/

Examples:

1. By investing all his savings in one stock, he was playing with fire.
2. She knew she was playing with fire by breaking the rules.

#7. Play a part 🎬

Definition: To be involved in an activity or situation.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ə pɑrt/

Examples:

1. Everyone played a part in organizing the charity event.
2. He played a significant part in the project’s success.

#8. Play a game 🎲

Definition: To participate in a structured activity for entertainment.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ə ɡeɪm/

Examples:

1. We decided to play a game of chess to pass the time.
2. The children love to play games during their free time.

#9. Play a song 🎶

Definition: To perform or present a musical piece.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ə sɔŋ/

Examples:

1. The DJ played a popular song at the party.
2. She asked him to play a song on his guitar.

#10. Play ball ⚽

Definition: To participate in a sport or game involving a ball.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ bɔl/

Examples:

1. The kids went outside to play ball after lunch.
2. They used to play ball every weekend at the park.

#11. Play tricks 🎩

Definition: To deceive or fool someone in a playful manner.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ trɪks/

Examples:

1. He likes to play tricks on his friends during April Fools’ Day.
2. She played tricks on her brother with a hidden camera.

#12. Play second fiddle 🎻

Definition: To take a subordinate role.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ˈsɛkənd ˈfɪdəl/

Examples:

1. She often plays second fiddle to her more dominant colleague.
2. He was content to play second fiddle in the company’s new project.

#13. Play it cool 😎

Definition: To remain calm and composed.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɪt kuːl/

Examples:

1. Despite the stressful situation, he played it cool.
2. She tried to play it cool when meeting her favorite celebrity.

#14. Play fair ⚖️

Definition: To act in a just and honest manner.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ fɛr/

Examples:

1. It’s important to play fair in any competition.
2. He always tries to play fair, even in challenging situations.

#15. Play dirty 🤬

Definition: To act dishonestly or unethically.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ˈdɜrti/

Examples:

1. He accused them of playing dirty to win the game.
2. Playing dirty in business can lead to severe consequences.

#16. Play along 🎶

Definition: To participate or cooperate in a situation.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ əˈlɔŋ/

Examples:

1. She decided to play along with the prank to avoid confrontation.
2. The musicians played along with the lead guitarist.

#17. Play for time ⏳

Definition: To delay or postpone a decision or action.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ fɔr taɪm/

Examples:

1. He tried to play for time by asking more questions.
2. She was playing for time to come up with a solution.

#18. Play second string 🎻

Definition: To take a less important role or position.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ˈsɛkənd strɪŋ/

Examples:

1. After his injury, he was relegated to playing second string.
2. In the new team, he was playing second string.

#19. Play the field ⚽

Definition: To have romantic relationships with multiple people.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ðə fiːld/

Examples:

1. He decided to play the field before settling down.
2. She enjoyed playing the field during her college years.

#20. Play it by ear 🎵

Definition: To make decisions as situations arise rather than planning in advance.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɪt baɪ ɪər/

Examples:

1. We don’t have a set plan; let’s just play it by ear.
2. She prefers to play it by ear when it comes to vacation plans.

#21. Play it safe 🎯

Definition: To avoid risks.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɪt seɪf/

Examples:

1. Playing it safe with investments can help protect your savings.
2. He decided to play it safe and stay at home during the storm.

#22. Play poker ♠️

Definition: To participate in the card game of poker.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ˈpoʊkər/

Examples:

1. They gather every weekend to play poker.
2. She learned how to play poker from her grandfather.

#23. Play for keeps 🏆

Definition: To play seriously, with the intention of winning.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ fɔr kiːps/

Examples:

1. The championship game was played for keeps.
2. When they play chess, they play for keeps.

#24. Play it straight 🛡️

Definition: To act honestly and straightforwardly.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɪt streɪt/

Examples:

1. It’s important to play it straight in all business dealings.
2. She appreciated his effort to play it straight during the negotiation.

#25. Play dumb 🤔

Definition: To pretend to be unaware or uninformed.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ dʌm/

Examples:

1. He played dumb when asked about the missing report.
2. She played dumb to avoid revealing the surprise party.

#26. Play host 🎤

Definition: To be responsible for entertaining guests.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ hoʊst/

Examples:

1. They will play host to the annual conference next month.
2. She enjoyed playing host at her dinner parties.

#27. Play favorites 🌟

Definition: To show preferential treatment.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ˈfeɪvərɪts/

Examples:

1. It’s unfair to play favorites among team members.
2. The teacher was accused of playing favorites in the classroom.

#28. Play it cool 😌

Definition: To maintain a relaxed and calm demeanor.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ɪt kuːl/

Examples:

1. He managed to play it cool despite the high-pressure situation.
2. She decided to play it cool and not react to the criticism.

#29. Play a joke 🎉

Definition: To make a humorous or playful trick.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ ə dʒoʊk/

Examples:

1. He decided to play a joke on his colleague for their birthday.
2. They enjoyed playing jokes on each other during the holidays.

#30. Play to win 🏅

Definition: To compete with the aim of achieving victory.

Phonetic Transcription: /pleɪ tə wɪn/

Examples:

1. The team played to win the championship game.
2. She always plays to win in every competition she enters.

Collocations With Play Table

30 common short collocations with “play”

Most Common Collocations With Play Worksheet

Conclusion

Understanding and using collocations with “play” effectively can elevate your English skills and help you communicate more naturally and fluently. From everyday activities to professional contexts, mastering these collocations allows you to express yourself more precisely and confidently.

By incorporating these phrases into your vocabulary, you not only enhance your language proficiency but also become more adept at recognizing and using common expressions in various scenarios.

Practice these collocations, pay attention to their usage in native contexts, and soon, you’ll find yourself using them effortlessly. Keep exploring and expanding your vocabulary to continue improving your English skills!

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